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Two United Airlines Boeing 777 Collided at San Francisco
San Francisco, May 8, 2025 — In an incident that aviation experts are calling “unprecedented” and “deeply alarming,” two United Airlines Boeing 777 aircraft collided on the tarmac at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) early Thursday morning. Miraculously, no fatalities have been reported, but the collision has caused major disruptions at one of the busiest airports in the United States and raised serious questions about ground control procedures.
Early Morning Chaos
The collision occurred at approximately 5:42 a.m. local time, during peak morning preparations. United Flight 2478, bound for Tokyo Narita, was taxiing for departure when its left wing clipped the right engine of another United Airlines aircraft—Flight 812—scheduled to depart for New York JFK. The impact caused a loud metallic screech that echoed across Terminal G and sent ground crew and passengers into a brief panic.
According to initial reports, both aircraft were carrying a full load of passengers and crew—more than 600 people in total—though the planes had not yet begun to accelerate for takeoff. Emergency slides were deployed as a precaution, and passengers from both flights were swiftly evacuated. Several passengers suffered minor injuries during the evacuation, including sprains and bruises, but none were life-threatening.
“Like a Sudden Jolt”
Passenger Marissa James, a biotech executive traveling to Tokyo, described the moment of impact as “a sudden jolt followed by a lurching feeling, like the plane had been hit from the side.” She added, “There was screaming and then an announcement came over the intercom telling us to remain calm and prepare to evacuate. We slid down the inflatable chute into the cold morning fog. It felt like a scene out of a movie.”
Videos posted on social media show passengers descending emergency slides and walking across the tarmac as emergency vehicles rushed to the scene. Flames were not reported, but one of the engines involved in the collision emitted thick smoke for several minutes before firefighters hosed it down with foam.
Investigation Underway
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a joint investigation into the incident. While officials caution that it is too early to determine the cause, preliminary speculation centers around a potential miscommunication between ground control and the pilots of the two aircraft.
“These are two of the most advanced long-haul aircraft in the world,” said aviation analyst Peter Wolsten, referring to the Boeing 777 models involved. “For them to physically collide on the ground suggests a failure in coordination, possibly human error or a systems breakdown. The margin for error is very small on busy taxiways like those at SFO.”
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby issued a brief statement late Thursday morning: “We are grateful that no one was seriously injured in today’s incident at San Francisco International Airport. We are cooperating fully with authorities and conducting our own internal review. Safety remains our top priority.”
Eyewitness Accounts Differ
Airport employees offered differing views of the moments leading up to the collision. One ramp agent who declined to give his name said he noticed Flight 2478 “turning too sharply” as it prepared to taxi onto the main runway. “I radioed it in, but it was too late,” he said. “It didn’t look like either plane had the clearance.”
However, another ground staffer blamed outdated signage and poor visibility due to early morning fog. “There have been issues before with those taxi routes,” she said. “It’s a nightmare when the fog rolls in, especially with those big planes.”
Flight data and communication logs have been seized by investigators, who are currently analyzing the black boxes from both aircraft.
Ripple Effects Across the Country
The collision has resulted in dozens of delayed and canceled flights at SFO, with ripple effects extending across the nation. United Airlines, which uses San Francisco as one of its primary hubs, was forced to cancel over 120 flights by noon, and the number is expected to rise. International flights were the most heavily impacted.
Passengers have been offered hotel accommodations and rebooking options, but long lines and frustrated travelers filled the terminal well into the afternoon.
“I understand things happen, but the communication has been awful,” said Brian Ortega, a college student trying to get to Chicago. “We’ve been standing here for hours and nobody seems to know when we’ll get out.”
A Troubling Pattern?
While runway incidents are rare, this is the second ground-related mishap involving a major U.S. airline this year. In February, a Delta jet narrowly avoided a collision at JFK after miscommunication with ground control sent two aircraft onto the same taxiway.
“This could be a wake-up call,” said retired FAA investigator Linda Grayson. “Automation, staffing shortages, and the increasing complexity of modern air traffic are putting stress on a system that, while very safe overall, is showing cracks.”
Boeing has not issued a statement as of this writing, though industry sources say company representatives have been dispatched to assist investigators.
The Path Forward
As both aircraft are towed to hangars for inspection, the full scope of the damage is still being assessed. Aviation engineers will determine whether the planes can be repaired or are total losses. Boeing 777s, which cost upwards of $375 million each when fully equipped, are typically built to withstand significant structural strain, but a collision of this magnitude may render one or both planes unfit for service.
In the meantime, the FAA has ordered a temporary restriction on Boeing 777 movements at SFO pending a safety review of taxiway protocols.
Passengers Reflect
For passengers, the experience was terrifying but also a sobering reminder of how quickly things can go wrong in air travel.
“There was no fire, thank God,” said Emily Han, a high school teacher from Oakland who was on Flight 812. “But the feeling of being trapped on a plane that’s just been hit is something I’ll never forget.”
Many praised the flight attendants and emergency crews for their quick response and professionalism. “They got us off safely, and that’s what matters most,” said another passenger.
As the sun set on a chaotic day at San Francisco International Airport, investigators continued combing the tarmac for clues, airport officials worked to resume normal operations, and hundreds of shaken passengers made new travel plans—grateful to be alive, but still asking how such a thing could happen in the heart of modern American aviation.
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