San Francisco, United States: September 3, 2025: Two United Airlines aircraft were involved in a ground collision at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on the evening of September 2, 2025, prompting flight cancellations and FAA scrutiny.
According to airport officials, United Flight 1871, en route to Denver, struck the tail of United Flight 796, which was parked at the gate preparing for departure to Boston. The incident occurred during the pushback maneuver and took place in an area outside air traffic control supervision.
Both planes were immediately returned to their gates for safety inspections, and all passengers were safely disembarked. No injuries were reported. The collision caused both flights to be canceled, leading to delays amid a busy evening schedule at the airport.
The aircraft involved were both Boeing 737 MAX 9 models. Flight 796 had been delivered to United Airlines only a few months earlier. This incident adds to a growing series of ground collisions at SFO, including a wingtip collision in May 2025 involving United flights bound for Sydney and Hong Kong.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed that it is investigating the latest occurrence to determine its cause and implement measures to prevent similar events in the future.
United Airlines has not yet released a detailed statement but is cooperating with investigators and conducting internal safety reviews. Ground collisions, though typically less severe than in-flight incidents, pose risks to aircraft integrity, passenger safety, and flight schedules, making airport ground operations and pushback coordination a priority for aviation authorities.
Passengers affected by the canceled flights were offered alternate arrangements, and United Airlines is reportedly working to minimize further disruption.
