Two United Airlines planes collide at San Francisco airport during pushback
- Two United Airlines planes were involved in a minor collision at San Francisco International Airport on Labor Day.
- No injuries were reported, and passengers boarded other flights to reach their destinations.
- The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident and safety procedures.
On Labor Day, two United Airlines planes were involved in a minor collision at San Francisco International Airport. The incident occurred when one aircraft, which was pushing back from the gate, collided with the tail of a parked United plane. The collision involved two flights, UA796 heading to Boston and UA1871 headed to Denver. Passengers reported feeling a small bump and described the sensation as similar to an earthquake. Fortunately, no injuries were reported and passengers were quickly accommodated on other flights to reach their destinations. The United Airlines spokesperson confirmed that the incident happened on Monday night and stated that the aircraft’s pushback from the gate resulted in contact with the tail of the other plane. Social media posts regarding the collision suggested that a failure of the tow bar of the tug was to blame for the incident. A post from an aviation community account described the tug breaking away on UA1871, causing the aircraft to roll back and collide with UA796, which was boarding passengers at the time. Passengers shared their experiences on social media platforms, with one Reddit user describing the event as a minor bump that shook the plane, adding that the pilot made an announcement shortly after the incident. Eyewitness accounts suggested that the collision drew significant attention, with images and discussions circulating rapidly on various platforms. Additionally, local television news coverage helped bring more visibility to the event. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision. The investigation will likely focus on the operational procedures and equipment involved in the pushback process to ensure safety standards are upheld in the busy airport environment. The incident is a reminder of the complexities and potential hazards of airport operations, even when aircrafts are stationary or in motion close to the gate. In recent months, United Airlines has already faced scrutiny over similar incidents, including a past occurrence in which the right and left wing tips of two different United aircraft collided while at the airport, highlighting ongoing safety concerns within the airline industry.