United Airlines Planes Collide at San Francisco International Airport
FAA investigating after two United aircraft made contact during pushback at SFO.
United Airlines Planes Collide at SFO
Two United Airlines planes collided on the ground at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) Monday evening, prompting an FAA investigation. The incident involved United Flight 1871, bound for Denver, and United Flight 796, scheduled to depart for Boston.
What Happened During the Collision
According to United and the FAA, Flight 1871 was pushing back from its gate when it struck the tail of Flight 796, which was still parked. The collision occurred near the terminal gates as ground crews were preparing the aircraft for departure.
No Injuries Reported
United confirmed there were no injuries. Passengers on both aircraft deplaned normally, and alternative arrangements were made for affected travelers. The airline said both planes have been taken out of service for inspection and repair.
FAA Launches Investigation
The Federal Aviation Administration will review the incident to determine how the ground collision occurred. While plane-to-plane contact on the ground is rare, the event underscores the complexity of coordinating aircraft movements at one of the nation’s busiest airports.
Passengers Rebooked After the Collision
United said impacted travelers were rebooked on later flights. Flight status updates were provided via the airline’s app and airport customer service teams.
