Key Takeaways
• On May 13, 2025, two planes nearly collided at San Francisco International Airport during simultaneous takeoffs.
• The TCAS alert allowed SkyWest pilots to avoid collision by changing course quickly.
• Investigation points to FMS error, pilot inexperience, communication confusion, and delayed captain intervention.
On May 13, 2025, a serious incident at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) nearly resulted in a disaster when two commercial planes—one operated by United Airlines and the other by SkyWest—came dangerously close to colliding during takeoff. The event, which unfolded in the early evening, has sparked a major investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and raised urgent questions about safety at one of the busiest airports in the United States 🇺🇸.
This article explains what happened, why it matters, and what it means for passengers, airline workers, and anyone concerned about air travel safety. We’ll break down the details, look at the causes, and discuss what could change to make flying safer for everyone.
What Happened: The Near Collision at SFO
At about 5:10 p.m. local time, two jets were cleared to take off from parallel runways at San Francisco International Airport:
- United Airlines Flight UA1152, an Airbus A320, was heading to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
- SkyWest Flight 5273, a CRJ-200 regional jet, was bound for Fresno-Yosemite International Airport.
Both planes were given instructions by air traffic control (ATC) to depart at nearly the same time but from different runways. The United Airlines Airbus A320 was told to take off from Runway 1R and make a right turn after takeoff, following a standard departure route called the TRUKN SID (Standard Instrument Departure). The SkyWest CRJ-200 was cleared from Runway 1L and told to make a left turn using a different departure route, the SSTIK SID.
But something went wrong. Instead of turning right as instructed, the United Airlines Airbus A320 made a sharp left turn at just 500 feet above the ground—directly into the path of the SkyWest jet, which was already climbing and about to turn left as well.
How Close Did the Planes Get?
According to flight tracking data and FAA reports, the two planes came extremely close to each other:
- Horizontal separation: Only about 0.4 nautical miles (about 1,950 feet)
- Vertical separation: Just 275-280 feet
To put this in perspective, these distances are much smaller than what is considered safe, especially during takeoff when planes are moving fast and have little room to maneuver. One air traffic controller at SFO reportedly said this was “one of the two or three closest calls he has seen at the airport in 15+ years.”
How Was Disaster Avoided?
The SkyWest pilots received a warning from their Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)—a safety system that alerts pilots if another aircraft is too close. Thanks to this alert, the SkyWest crew quickly changed their path, turning slightly to the right instead of left, which allowed them to avoid the United Airlines Airbus A320.
This quick action, combined with the TCAS alert, likely prevented a mid-air collision that could have had tragic results.
What Caused the Incident?
Investigators are still looking into all the details, but several factors have already been identified:
1. Flight Management System (FMS) Error
The United Airlines captain reported that the first officer, who was making his first departure from SFO, followed the plane’s Flight Management System (FMS). The FMS is an onboard computer that helps guide the plane, but in this case, it incorrectly showed a left turn instead of the right turn that ATC had instructed.
2. Crew Experience
The first officer’s lack of experience with SFO’s complex departure procedures may have played a role. Instead of following the controller’s spoken instructions, he relied on the FMS, which was wrong in this situation.
3. Air Traffic Control Communication
There was also confusion in the control tower. The controller twice said “fly runway heading” when he actually meant “fly present heading.” These phrases sound similar but mean different things. At the time, the controller was also handling several other flights, including a Turkish Airlines jet waiting to land.
4. Captain’s Delayed Intervention
By the time the United Airlines captain realized the mistake and tried to correct the plane’s path, the Airbus A320 had already turned left and was dangerously close to the SkyWest jet.
The FAA Investigation
The FAA quickly began an investigation into the incident. As of the end of May 2025, the investigation is still ongoing. Authorities are reviewing:
- Air traffic control recordings and procedures
- Actions and decisions of the flight crews
- Possible technical problems with navigation systems
- SFO’s departure protocols and whether they need to be improved
Both United Airlines and SkyWest have said they are fully cooperating with the investigation. United Airlines has also started its own internal review.
For more information about how the FAA investigates aviation incidents, you can visit the FAA’s official accident and incident investigation page.
What Have the Airlines Said?
United Airlines has acknowledged the incident and is reviewing what happened in detail. The airline is working closely with federal investigators to understand what went wrong and how to prevent it from happening again.
SkyWest Airlines reported that after their pilots made the emergency maneuver, the flight continued safely to Fresno. The airline praised its crew for their quick thinking and professionalism.
Expert Opinions: What Do Safety Professionals Say?
Greg Feith, a former investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), commented on the incident: “There’s a lot of things going on. It’s a very dynamic environment. As an investigator, that’s what I would be studying, is what was going on with that crew at any one time from the time they left the ramp until the time they took off.”
He added, “Yes. The potential for a catastrophic event was there, but there were systems in place, communications took place, and corrective actions were initiated to prevent the situation.”
This means that while the risk was very real, the safety systems and the actions of the pilots and controllers helped avoid disaster.
Has This Happened Before at SFO?
This is not the first time San Francisco International Airport has seen a serious safety incident. According to reports, there was another recent event involving United Airlines aircraft at SFO, where two planes clipped wings while on the ground. While that incident did not result in injuries, it shows that safety challenges at busy airports like SFO are not new.
Why Is This Incident So Important?
This near-miss highlights several important issues in aviation safety:
1. Reliability of Automated Systems
Pilots often rely on automated systems like the FMS to guide them, but these systems can make mistakes or be set up incorrectly. When that happens, it’s vital for pilots to double-check instructions and not rely only on computers.
2. Importance of Pilot Experience
Airports like SFO have complex procedures, especially for departures and arrivals. Pilots who are new to an airport may not be familiar with these details, which can lead to mistakes.
3. Clear Communication
Controllers and pilots must use clear, precise language. Small differences in wording can lead to big misunderstandings, especially when planes are moving quickly and there is little time to react.
4. Effectiveness of Collision Avoidance Systems
In this case, the TCAS worked as designed and gave the SkyWest crew the warning they needed to avoid a crash. This shows how important these systems are for keeping passengers and crews safe.
5. Air Traffic Management at Busy Airports
Managing many planes at once, especially with parallel runways, is challenging. Controllers must stay focused, and procedures must be clear to avoid confusion.
What Could Change After This Incident?
As the FAA and airlines review what happened, several changes could be considered:
- Better training for pilots, especially those new to complex airports like SFO
- Improvements to automated systems to make sure they match ATC instructions
- Clearer communication protocols for controllers and pilots
- Review of SFO’s departure procedures, especially for parallel runway operations
- More use of safety technology like TCAS and other warning systems
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, incidents like this often lead to changes in both airline procedures and airport operations. The goal is always to make sure that even if mistakes happen, there are enough safety nets in place to prevent disaster.
What Does This Mean for Passengers and Airline Workers?
For passengers, this incident is a reminder that air travel, while very safe overall, depends on many layers of safety. These include skilled pilots, careful controllers, reliable technology, and clear procedures. When one layer fails, others must work to prevent accidents.
For airline workers—especially pilots and air traffic controllers—this event highlights the need for ongoing training, attention to detail, and the ability to act quickly in emergencies.
For airport managers and regulators, it’s a call to review and strengthen safety procedures, especially as air travel continues to grow and airports become even busier.
What Should Travelers Know?
If you’re flying out of San Francisco International Airport or any other busy airport, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Air travel remains one of the safest ways to travel. Incidents like this are rare, and when they do happen, they are taken very seriously.
- Airlines and airports review every incident carefully to learn from mistakes and improve safety.
- Pilots and controllers are highly trained to handle emergencies and use advanced technology to keep you safe.
The Bigger Picture: Aviation Safety in the United States 🇺🇸
The United States 🇺🇸 has one of the safest aviation systems in the world. The FAA, airlines, and airports work together to keep risks as low as possible. But as this incident shows, there is always room for improvement.
Busy airports like San Francisco International Airport face special challenges because of the number of flights, the layout of runways, and the need to move planes quickly and safely. This means constant attention to training, technology, and procedures.
Practical Steps for Safer Skies
Based on what we know so far, here are some practical steps that could help prevent similar incidents:
- Regular training for pilots on airport-specific procedures
- Better checks to make sure automated systems match ATC instructions
- Clearer, more consistent language between controllers and pilots
- Continued investment in safety technology like TCAS
- Ongoing review of airport operations, especially during busy periods
For more details on how the FAA works to keep air travel safe, you can visit the FAA’s Aviation Safety page.
Conclusion: Lessons from the United Airlines Airbus A320 and SkyWest Incident
The near collision between a United Airlines Airbus A320 and a SkyWest CRJ-200 at San Francisco International Airport is a wake-up call for everyone involved in air travel. It shows how quickly things can go wrong, even with experienced crews and advanced technology.
But it also shows the strength of the aviation safety system: quick-thinking pilots, alert controllers, and reliable warning systems all worked together to prevent tragedy.
As the investigation continues, passengers and airline workers can expect changes aimed at making flying even safer. The lessons learned from this incident will help shape the future of air travel, not just at SFO, but at airports across the United States 🇺🇸 and around the world.
If you have questions about air travel safety or want to know more about how incidents like this are handled, always check official sources like the FAA or your airline’s safety information. And remember, every flight is backed by a team of professionals working hard to keep you safe in the skies.
Learn Today
Flight Management System (FMS) → An onboard computer system that assists pilots with navigation and flight route decisions.
Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) → A safety system alerting pilots to nearby aircraft to prevent mid-air collisions.
Standard Instrument Departure (SID) → Predefined routes pilots must follow immediately after takeoff for safe airport traffic management.
Air Traffic Control (ATC) → The service responsible for directing aircraft safely during takeoff, flight, and landing.
Horizontal Separation → The lateral distance between two aircraft, critical for maintaining safe flight paths.
This Article in a Nutshell
At San Francisco Airport, two commercial jets nearly collided during takeoff on May 13, 2025. A Flight Management System error caused a dangerous left turn by United’s Airbus A320. Thanks to pilots’ quick response and TCAS alert, disaster was avoided. FAA investigation continues to improve safety.
— By VisaVerge.com
