Collision of Two United Airlines Aircraft at San Francisco Airport

SAN FRANCISCO— Two United Airlines flights encountered disruptions within a 24-hour period at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), according to officials.

On Monday night, a United flight heading to Denver was involved in a minor incident where it clipped the tail of another aircraft as it pushed back from the gate. Later that evening, a different flight bound for Baltimore had to return to SFO after a burning smell was reported in the cabin. Fortunately, no injuries occurred in either situation.

United Airlines Flight Incidents at SFO

The first occurrence involved United Airlines Flight 1871 heading to Denver (DEN). This flight made contact with the tail of Flight UA796, which was en route to Boston (BOS), during the pushback from its gate.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) noted that the incident took place in a non-controlled area of the ramp where air traffic controllers do not direct aircraft movements.

Both airplanes were grounded for inspection, and all passengers were evacuated before being accommodated on alternate flights. United Airlines confirmed that no injuries were reported and stated that normal boarding procedures were adhered to. The FAA has initiated an investigation regarding the ground collision.

A few hours later, United Airlines Flight 2664 to Baltimore (BWI), a Boeing 737 Max 9, left SFO at 9:47 a.m. with 164 passengers and eight crew members onboard.

Shortly after takeoff, the flight returned to San Francisco due to reports of a plastic burning odor in the cabin. The crew’s decision to turn back was taken as a safety precaution. Passengers were safely deplaned, and a replacement aircraft was arranged for their journey to Baltimore. The cause of the burning smell has not yet been identified.

FAA Oversight and Impact on Passengers

While no injuries were reported in either incident, both resulted in significant delays at one of the nation’s busiest airports. The FAA is investigating the ground collision involving Flights 1871 and 796.

Although such incidents are rare, they can pose operational challenges for airlines and airports alike. United Airlines emphasized its commitment to passenger safety and noted that procedures were effectively implemented to ensure minimal disruption for travelers.

Similar Incident

On May 6, 2025, two United Airlines Boeing 777-300ER aircraft collided at San Francisco International Airport around 12:35 AM local time.

This incident involved United Flight UA877, destined for Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), and United Flight UA863, which was set to depart for Sydney Airport (SYD). Both flights were canceled due to the damage sustained by the aircraft.

Collision During Ground Operations

The collision occurred as UA863 was taxiing from Terminal 2, Gate 6, while UA877 was being pushed back for departure. The right wingtip of UA863 impacted the left wingtip of UA877, causing visible damage to both planes.

Ground crews were supervising the movements, as this area operates without direct air traffic control guidance.

United Airlines confirmed that there were no injuries among the passengers and crew of both flights. Both aircraft were immediately taken out of service for inspection and maintenance.

Passenger Impact and Airline Response

United Airlines quickly managed the rebooking of over 500 affected passengers and provided replacement options on alternative flights to both Hong Kong and Sydney.

Inside the terminal, videos showed workers using a hydraulic lift to inspect the damaged wing areas. The airline later assured that the damage was repairable, although both planes remained grounded pending further inspections.

FAA and NTSB Investigations

Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) were alerted about the incident right away. Investigators are assessing ground handling protocols and communication between crews.

United Airlines reiterated that passenger safety is its highest priority and expressed its commitment to cooperate fully with the authorities. An internal review is also underway to ensure compliance with safety standards.