A ground incident at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) saw two United Airlines Boeing 777-300ER aircraft clip wingtips on 6 May 2025.
The collision, which occurred shortly after midnight, occurred during routine ground handling operations.
San Francisco Ground Incident
One United Airlines 777-300ER, registered N2645U, was being pushed back from Terminal 2, Gate 6. The aircraft was preparing for departure as flight UA877 to Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, a second United 777, registered N2747U, was taxiing for its departure as flight UA863 to Sydney, Australia.
The wingtip of the aircraft undergoing pushback clipped the wingtip of the taxiing flight, causing minor damage to both planes. The right winglet of N2747U collided with left winglet of N2645U on push back.
No injuries were reported among passengers or crew of either aircraft involved.
United Airlines canceled both scheduled flights, and safely disembarked all passengers. The carrier notified the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), who will both investigate the incident.
Ground crews then secured the area, and airport operations were able to continue with minimal disruption.
United Airlines issued a statement emphasizing passenger safety and cooperation with authorities to assess the damage.
Aircraft Details
The two aircraft involved in the San Francisco incident were both Boeing 777-300ER widebody aircraft. N2645U is a 7.2 year old airframe which has been in service with United since its initial delivery from the factory in March 2018.
N2747U is a similar aged aircraft, which was delivered from the factory in April 2018.
Ground collisions, while rare, highlight the challenges of managing large aircraft in busy airports. The Boeing 777-300ER, with a wingspan of nearly 200 feet, requires precise coordination during taxiing and pushback. SFO, a major hub, handles hundreds of flights daily, making such incidents a concern for safety regulators.
The FAA and NTSB will likely examine factors like ground crew communication, taxiway clearance, and visibility conditions.
This incident follows other recent aviation mishaps, prompting discussions about improving ground handling procedures. For now, United Airlines is working to rebook affected passengers and repair the aircraft.
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