United 777 Operated Flight Makes Emergency Landing in SFO Amid Pilot Mistake
By Mark Thompson | Aviation Correspondent
San Francisco, CA – A routine transcontinental flight turned into a tense emergency on Monday evening when a United Airlines Boeing 777 was forced to make an emergency landing at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) due to what sources describe as a “critical pilot error.” While all passengers and crew members were unharmed, the incident has raised concerns about cockpit procedures and human error in high-pressure situations.
A Routine Flight Goes Awry
United Airlines Flight 2985, a Boeing 777-200, departed from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) at 3:15 PM local time, bound for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The aircraft, carrying 264 passengers and 12 crew members, was expected to complete the five-hour journey without issue. However, approximately three hours into the flight, while cruising at 37,000 feet over Nevada, an unusual sequence of cockpit events set off a chain reaction that led to an emergency descent.
According to preliminary reports from the FAA, one of the pilots inadvertently disengaged the auto-throttle system during a routine in-flight systems check. While this by itself would not typically cause a major issue, a miscommunication between the captain and the first officer led to an uncommanded reduction in engine power, causing the aircraft to lose altitude rapidly.
Flight tracking data shows that within moments, the aircraft descended nearly 6,000 feet in an alarming drop that prompted passengers to scream and flight attendants to brace for impact.
Confusion in the Cockpit
Air traffic control (ATC) recordings reviewed by aviation experts indicate that the flight crew initially struggled to identify the source of the problem. A transcript of the exchange between the pilots and controllers at Oakland Center suggests that the captain, who has over 15 years of experience with United, mistakenly assumed that one of the aircraft’s engines had suffered a failure.
“We’re losing altitude—possible engine issue,” the captain reported to ATC at 6:22 PM Pacific Time.
Controllers immediately cleared the flight for an emergency diversion to San Francisco, the nearest major airport capable of handling a widebody aircraft in distress. However, moments later, the first officer corrected the assessment, realizing that the engine itself was fine but that the auto-throttle had been disengaged, and the engines were producing insufficient thrust to maintain altitude.
Upon recognizing the error, the pilots manually increased thrust to stabilize the aircraft at 31,000 feet. But by that point, standard safety protocols dictated that an emergency landing was the safest course of action.
Terrifying Moments for Passengers
Several passengers on board described the situation as “terrifying” and “chaotic,” with many initially unaware of what was happening.
“It felt like we were on a roller coaster, but without the fun,” said Jessica Palmer, a 37-year-old business traveler seated in first class. “One second, everything was fine, and the next, we were dropping. People were gasping, and the flight attendants looked worried.”
Another passenger, Alex Rodriguez, recounted how oxygen masks did not deploy but that the sensation of descent was unmistakable.
“There was this moment where everyone just looked at each other like, ‘Is this it?’” he said. “Then you could hear the engines roar back to life, and I guess that’s when they realized what went wrong.”
Flight attendants moved quickly to reassure passengers, with one attendant using the intercom to calmly instruct travelers to remain seated with seat belts fastened. Within minutes, the captain announced that the plane would be making an emergency landing in San Francisco “out of an abundance of caution.”
Safe Landing in San Francisco
United Flight 2985 touched down at San Francisco International Airport at 6:51 PM, with emergency crews standing by along the runway. The aircraft taxied to the gate without further incident, and passengers deplaned normally, though many were visibly shaken.
“The pilots did a great job recovering, but it’s definitely not something I ever want to experience again,” said Michael Chan, a frequent flyer who was on board.
United Airlines and FAA Response
United Airlines quickly released a statement acknowledging the incident, emphasizing that safety remains its top priority.
“Our flight crews are trained to handle a wide range of in-flight scenarios, and in this instance, they followed established procedures to safely land the aircraft,” the statement read. “We are working closely with the FAA to review the circumstances surrounding this event.”
The FAA confirmed that it has launched an investigation into the incident, with a focus on whether cockpit protocols were followed correctly and if any additional training measures should be implemented.
Aviation analyst Greg Lawson noted that while pilot error is a known risk factor in aviation, modern flight decks are designed with multiple safeguards to prevent a minor mistake from escalating into a dangerous situation.
“This appears to be a case of miscommunication in the cockpit, which underscores why constant vigilance and adherence to checklists are so critical,” Lawson said. “The good news is that the pilots recognized their mistake in time and took the necessary corrective action.”
Passengers React and Flight Rescheduling
Following the emergency landing, United Airlines quickly arranged for alternate flights to transport passengers to Los Angeles. Some passengers, however, chose to stay overnight in San Francisco, shaken by the experience.
“I’ll take a train if I have to,” joked one traveler, who declined to give their name. “I just need a break from flying for a little bit.”
Others praised the crew for maintaining professionalism during the emergency.
“The pilots and flight attendants did an incredible job under pressure,” said Lauren Mitchell, who was traveling with her two young children. “We’re just thankful to be safe.”
Lessons for the Aviation Industry
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges pilots face in managing complex flight systems. While the Boeing 777 is one of the safest aircraft in operation, the event highlights the importance of continuous training and vigilance in the cockpit.
As the FAA’s investigation moves forward, experts say the findings could influence future pilot training programs and safety protocols.
“Every incident like this is an opportunity to learn and improve,” Lawson said. “Air travel remains incredibly safe, but we must always be striving to make it even safer.”
For now, passengers and crew of United Flight 2985 can be grateful that what could have been a far worse scenario ended with nothing more than shaken nerves and a delay.