United Planes Collide Again at San Francisco: What Went Wrong?
United Airlines - N558UA - Boeing 757-222 - San Francisco International Airport, 2014 Photo by Raimond Spekking under CC BY-SA 4.0.
A second collision involving United Airlines planes on the tarmac at San Francisco International Airport has sent shockwaves through the aviation community and rattled the nerves of everyday travelers. This latest event, where United Airlines flight 1871 reportedly grazed the tail of flight 796 during pushback from the gate, exposes a troubling vulnerability in airport ground operations that many passengers never consider. With a narrowly avoided disaster unfolding in one of the nation's busiest hubs, questions about safety protocols and systemic risks are now front and center.
A Close Call on a Busy Travel Night
The collision occurred on a busy Labor Day evening, a peak travel time when airports are bustling with activity. Flight 1871, preparing to depart for Denver, was being pushed back from its gate when it made contact with the tail of the parked flight 796, which was headed to Boston. According to the FAA, the event took place in "an area where air traffic controllers do not communicate with flights," as reported by PEOPLE. This left ground crews and pilots to coordinate the complex ballet of moving massive aircraft in tight spaces largely on their own. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and passengers were transferred to other planes to continue their journeys safely.
According to Fox News, passengers described the impact as a sudden jolt, with some comparing it to an earthquake shaking the plane. The airline confirmed the contact was minor but significant enough to warrant an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is now looking into the circumstances surrounding the event.
Not the First Incident at San Francisco
This event is not isolated. Earlier in the year, in May, two United Airlines Boeing 777-300ER aircraft reportedly clipped wingtips during ground operations at the same airport. One plane was being pushed back from the gate while the other was taxiing for departure. The right winglet of one aircraft grazed the left winglet of the other, causing minor damage but no injuries. Both flights were canceled, and passengers were safely disembarked.
The recurrence of such events at a major hub like San Francisco International Airport raises alarms about the safety of ground operations, especially in areas where air traffic controllers do not have direct communication with aircraft. The sheer size of modern planes, like the Boeing 777 with its nearly 200-foot wingspan, demands precise coordination. Yet, these close calls suggest that current systems and staffing may be falling short.
The Hidden Risks of Push-Zone Operations
Pushback operations, where planes are moved backward from gates by tug vehicles, are inherently risky. They require flawless communication between ground crews, pilots, and air traffic control. However, in certain zones of the airport, such as the area where the recent event occurred, air traffic controllers do not oversee the movements. This leaves the responsibility to ground personnel and pilots, who must navigate crowded ramps and taxiways filled with other aircraft, vehicles, and equipment.
In the recent event, unconfirmed social media reports suggested a failure of the towbar on the tug vehicle may have contributed. According to those reports, the tug broke away from flight 1871, allowing the aircraft to roll back and strike the parked plane, as reported by Fox News. It is important to note that this towbar failure is a rumored cause based on social media reports and has not been officially confirmed by United Airlines or the Federal Aviation Administration.
Growing Concerns Over Airport Safety
These events come amid a broader national conversation about the rising number of near misses and collisions involving aircraft both in the air and on the ground. According to PEOPLE, a recent investigation by the New York Times highlighted an alarming increase in close calls at airports across the country. The report pointed to a shortage of air traffic controllers and outdated warning systems as key factors behind the uptick in dangerous situations.
For travelers, these revelations are unsettling. Most passengers assume that airports operate with near-perfect safety, but the reality is more complex. The combination of aging infrastructure, staffing challenges, and the increasing size and number of aircraft creates a volatile environment where even minor errors can have serious consequences.
What Needs to Change?
Experts argue that transparency and systemic reforms are essential to restoring public confidence. Airports and airlines must invest in modernizing ground control technologies, improving communication systems, and ensuring that all areas where aircraft move are monitored by trained personnel. Additionally, regular maintenance and rigorous checks of ground equipment like tugs and towbars are critical to preventing mechanical failures that can lead to accidents.
United Airlines has stated its commitment to passenger safety and is reportedly cooperating fully with the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board investigations. Meanwhile, the FAA's inquiry will likely focus on ground crew communication, equipment reliability, and operational protocols at San Francisco International Airport.
What This Means for You
If you are a frequent flyer, these events serve as a reminder that air travel, while generally safe, is not without risks. Being aware of the complexities behind the scenes can help temper expectations and encourage support for necessary safety upgrades. The good news is that no passengers were harmed in these events, and the swift response by airline and airport staff prevented what could have been a far worse outcome.
Still, the fear is real. When two planes collide not once but twice within months at the same airport, it shakes the foundation of trust that travelers place in the aviation system. The hope is that these wake-up calls will spur meaningful change, making the skies and tarmacs safer for everyone.
Looking Ahead
As investigations continue, the aviation industry faces pressure to address these vulnerabilities head-on. The lessons learned from San Francisco's push-zone events could lead to nationwide reforms in ground operations, better training for ground crews, and enhanced safety protocols.
For now, passengers can take comfort in the fact that these events are rare and that the industry is actively working to prevent future occurrences. Transparency about these events and clear communication about safety improvements will be key to reassuring the public and maintaining confidence in air travel.
You can expect to hear more about the outcomes of these investigations in the coming months. Until then, keep your seatbelt fastened, and know that behind the scenes, a complex system is striving to keep you safe — even when things don't go exactly as planned.
References: 2 United Planes Collide on San Francisco Runway | Two United Airlines planes collide at San Francisco Airport on Labor Day | Two United Airlines 777s Clip Wings at San Francisco Airport | Airline Close Calls Happen Far More Often Than Previously Known
