United Airlines Nightmare: Shocking Collision in San Francisco; Two Jets Hit on Ground
On the evening of September 1, 2025, a shocking incident unfolded at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) when two United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft collided on the ground, causing significant disruption and raising concerns about ground safety at one of America’s busiest airports. The collision, described by passengers as feeling like an "earthquake," involved United Flight 1871 bound for Denver and United Flight 796 preparing for departure to Boston. A 790-page Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report, along with media accounts and social media posts, reveals chilling details of the incident, which has sparked an investigation into United’s ground operations. Here’s an in-depth look at what happened, its aftermath, and the broader implications for aviation safety.
The Incident: A Collision During Pushback
The collision occurred around 9:10 PM PDT on September 1, 2025, in a non-controlled ramp area where air traffic controllers do not guide aircraft movements, leaving coordination to ground crews. According to the FAA and United Airlines, Flight 1871, a Boeing 737 MAX 9 (registration N17594, delivered just months earlier), was being pushed back from its gate when its wingtip struck the tail of Flight 796, another Boeing 737 MAX 9 parked at a nearby gate. The impact caused significant damage, with local reports indicating that at least one aircraft’s wing was affected, and the tail of the parked plane sustained damage to its horizontal stabilizer.
Passengers on Flight 796, who were boarding at the time, described a sudden jolt that shook the aircraft. A Reddit user claiming to be on board posted, “Was in the middle of boarding when the plane shook; FAs (flight attendants) told us to deplane, and one of the pilots said we’d been hit. Seems like United ground crew is having a tough year.” The impact was strong enough for some to liken it to an earthquake, highlighting the intensity of the collision. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among passengers or crew on either aircraft.
Immediate Aftermath: Cancellations and Rebooking
Following the collision, both aircraft were promptly returned to their gates for safety inspections. Flight 1871 was towed back, and all passengers on both planes disembarked normally. United Airlines canceled both flights, causing significant delays during one of SFO’s busiest evening departure banks. The airline arranged alternative aircraft to minimize disruptions, rebooking passengers on a Boeing 737-900 (registration N62883) for Denver, which arrived approximately four and a half hours late, and another aircraft for Boston-bound travelers.
United issued a statement to The Daily Beast: “On Monday night, a United aircraft being pushed back from the gate at San Francisco International Airport made contact with the tail of a parked United aircraft. No injuries occurred, and passengers on both planes deplaned normally. We arranged for different aircraft to take our customers to their destinations.” Despite the swift response, the incident left travelers frustrated, with some reporting limited communication from airline staff about the cause and extent of the delay.
Investigation and Possible Causes
The FAA has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collision, focusing on ground handling procedures and equipment reliability. Early speculation, including a post from the X account @fl360aero, suggested that a failure of the tow bar on the tug—a vehicle used to push aircraft back from gates—may have contributed to the incident. The post stated, “Failure of towing bar of a Tug resulted in Ground Collision of two United Airlines aircraft being damaged at San Francisco Airport (SFO) on Monday.” If confirmed, this would align with insights from aviation expert Max Trescott, who told ABC7 News that similar incidents often involve tugs, which are operated by ground crews, not pilots, during pushback. Trescott suggested possible causes, including an operator turning the tug at too sharp an angle or moving at excessive speed.
The FAA emphasized that the collision occurred in a ramp area outside air traffic control supervision, highlighting the critical role of ground handlers and tug operators. The investigation will likely examine staffing levels, training, and equipment maintenance, especially given SFO’s congested layout and limited gate space, which poses operational challenges during peak hours.
A Troubling Pattern at SFO
This incident marks the second ground collision involving United Airlines at SFO in 2025. On May 6, two United Boeing 777-300ER aircraft clipped wingtips during a similar pushback maneuver, one bound for Sydney and the other for Hong Kong. That event, which caused minor damage and no injuries, also prompted an FAA investigation. The recurrence of such incidents has raised concerns about United’s ground operations and the broader safety culture at SFO, which handled over 50 million passengers in 2024.
Aviation analysts note that ground collisions, while rare, can have significant financial and operational consequences. Repairs to a newly delivered Boeing 737 MAX 9, like the one involved in this incident, can cost millions, and grounded aircraft disrupt schedules and revenue. The FAA’s findings may lead to stricter regulations or enhanced training for ground crews to prevent future mishaps.
Broader Implications for Aviation Safety
The San Francisco collision underscores the vulnerabilities of ground operations at busy airports. As air travel demand surges post-pandemic, carriers like United face pressure to maintain safety amid crowded ramps and tight schedules. The incident also draws attention to the Boeing 737 MAX series, which has faced scrutiny over safety concerns in the past, though this collision appears unrelated to aircraft design or mechanical issues.
Passengers and industry observers are calling for greater transparency from United and the FAA regarding the extent of the damage and preventive measures. Social media reactions, including posts on X, reflect public concern, with users like @Airline_Secret noting, “Last night a collision at San Francisco United Airlines between two 737 aircraft. Failure of tow bar of a tug is rumored to blame.” Such sentiments highlight the reputational risk for United, especially following other recent incidents, such as a United flight returning to SFO on September 2 due to a cabin odor.
What’s Next?
As the FAA investigation continues, United Airlines is cooperating fully while conducting its own internal safety review. Both aircraft remain grounded pending inspections and repairs, with no timeline provided for their return to service. The incident has reignited discussions about improving ramp safety, including better training for ground crews, enhanced equipment checks, and potential technological solutions like collision-avoidance systems for tugs.
For travelers, the collision serves as a reminder of the complexities of airport operations and the importance of vigilance at every stage of a flight. While no one was injured, the disruption and financial implications underscore the need for robust safety protocols to prevent such “nightmares” in the future.
A Wake-Up Call for United
The collision of two United Airlines jets at San Francisco International Airport is a stark reminder that even minor ground incidents can have far-reaching consequences. As the FAA digs deeper into the causes, United must address potential gaps in its ground handling procedures to restore passenger confidence. For now, the skies remain safe, but the ground operations at SFO are under scrutiny, ensuring this incident will not be forgotten anytime soon.
Sources: Information compiled from reports by ABC7 News, The Daily Beast, Aviation Source News, and posts on X.
