Ground Collision at SFO Involves United 737s; FAA Leads Investigation

(SAN FRANCISCO) United Airlines said two of its Boeing 737s were involved in a ground collision at San Francisco International Airport on the evening of Labor Day, September 2, 2025, disrupting operations across the carrier’s SFO hub but causing no injuries.

The incident, which occurred at about 9:10 p.m. during pushback, involved United Flight 1871 bound for Denver striking the tail of United Flight 796 scheduled to depart for Boston. Both flights were canceled, passengers were safely deplaned, and the Federal Aviation Administration is now leading an active investigation.

Immediate passenger impact and airline response

According to United, all travelers on both aircraft were rebooked on alternative flights. Some passengers reported long waits and missed connections as United moved planes and crews, creating ripple delays across late-evening departures.

Passengers described the jolt as feeling like an “earthquake,” but emergency medical teams did not report any injuries among passengers or crew, and there was no onboard fire risk.

United said it is cooperating fully with the investigation and is reviewing internal procedures tied to ground handling, including maintenance checks and training standards for tug operations.

Where the collision occurred and investigation focus

The FAA confirmed the collision took place in an area of the ramp where air traffic controllers do not talk directly with flights. This procedural feature of ground operations assigns movement responsibility to airline ground crews and tug operators.

Investigators are focusing on a suspected failure of the tow bar or tug during pushback, which may have allowed the moving aircraft to roll back and clip the parked plane’s tail. Aviation experts consulted by local media, including NTSB commentator Max Trescott, suggested the event could have stemmed from:

• Operator error — e.g., turning the tug too sharply or moving too quickly
• Mechanical failure — e.g., poor tug maintenance or broken tow-bar components

As of September 4, the FAA has not determined a final cause.

“Risk rises if equipment is not maintained to spec or if the tug turns at too sharp an angle while the plane begins to pivot,” experts noted, highlighting that coordination and equipment integrity are critical during pushback.

Investigation priorities and potential regulatory responses

The FAA is expected to review whether additional oversight or updated ramp standards at SFO could reduce similar risks. Possible measures include:

• Stricter tug maintenance logs and more frequent inspections of tow bars and shear pins
• Enhanced training and certification for pushback crews
• Clearer lines of responsibility when multiple teams handle a single departure

Likely steps in the regulatory process:

1. Initial safety bulletins and operator notices
2. Airport-specific guidance if immediate fixes are needed
3. Formal policy changes if findings indicate broader gaps

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, airlines under post-incident review commonly implement immediate actions such as refresher training, auditing contractor qualifications, and temporarily limiting complex ramp maneuvers during peak periods.

United said it rebooked affected passengers at no cost and offered support through its customer service channels while crews repositioned equipment and aircraft overnight.

Travel disruptions and guidance for international travelers

Although both planes were domestic flights, the ground collision caused wider delays that affected inbound and outbound international operations. For travelers connecting through SFO—especially foreign nationals—missed flights can create immigration and status concerns.

Key guidance if you are affected:

• If transiting SFO to catch an international flight, contact your airline immediately about protected connections and reissued tickets. Airlines may offer hotel and meal vouchers depending on policy.
• If you arrive late into SFO from abroad and miss a domestic connection, ask United to reroute you the same night or the next day. Keep boarding passes and delay notices for refunds or reimbursements.
• If visa conditions or permitted stay are time-sensitive, build a schedule cushion. Single incidents rarely affect lawful stay, but repeated disruptions can compress timelines.

Families, travelers with elderly relatives, and those with tight connections reported the longest waits. Several passengers waited in extended customer service lines while United sourced replacement aircraft and reassigned crews.

Operational effects and industry expectations

United Flight 1871 and United Flight 796 remained grounded Monday night as maintenance crews assessed damage. The airline did not provide cost estimates but acknowledged major schedule knock-on effects through Tuesday morning.

Airport operations staff directed passengers to check carrier alerts rather than rely on generic departure boards, which can lag during cascading reassignments.

Industry observers expect the FAA’s preliminary findings within weeks. If the cause is confirmed as equipment or training-related, near-term impacts could include:

• Tighter audit cycles for tugs and tow bars
• Standardized ramp briefings before pushback
• More conservative pushback speeds

Longer-term expectations include increased automation on the ramp, such as:

• Tagged geofences
• Enhanced collision-avoidance sensors for ground vehicles
• Digital checklists synced to aircraft movement

These measures are particularly likely at complex airports like San Francisco International Airport, where tight gate spacing is common.

Context and historical notes

While minor ground collisions occur globally about once a year, substantial damage and large-scale delays at a major U.S. hub remain uncommon. SFO has recorded ground incidents before, including a United wingtip contact in May 2025, which adds urgency to calls for tighter monitoring, better equipment safeguards, and clearer ramp protocols.

Aviation analysts say modern aircraft are built to withstand localized stress around tails and wingtips, but even minor structural damage requires careful inspection. That inspection process can take hours or longer depending on parts availability and engineering sign-off, contributing to widespread rebooking.

Regulators and operators will be watching for answers to these root-cause questions:

• Was the tug moving too fast?
• Did a tow bar component fail?
• Were signals misread between crew and cockpit?

United’s pledge to review internal processes suggests airlines may adopt enhanced training even before the FAA publishes final conclusions.

Key takeaways

• No injuries were reported.
• Both flights canceled and passengers were rebooked.
• An active FAA investigation is underway into a ground collision during pushback involving United Flight 1871 and United Flight 796.

For official updates on the investigation and any safety directives, monitor the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) website: https://www.faa.gov.

Passengers expressed mixed reactions—frustration over Labor Day timing and relief that the outcome was not worse. As investigators piece together the sequence, airlines, airport operators, and travelers will watch closely for changes intended to make ramp work safer without unduly slowing operations.