SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A rare and alarming incident unfolded at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on Monday when two United Airlines Boeing 777 aircraft were involved in a ground collision, forcing the cancellation of both flights and the evacuation of hundreds of passengers. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.
The incident occurred during routine airport operations when one of the aircraft, identified as United Flight 877, was being pushed back from its gate and made contact with another Boeing 777, United Flight 863, which was taxiing nearby. The contact between the two wide-body jets resulted in visible damage to both aircraft, prompting immediate safety protocols to be enacted.
According to airport officials and United Airlines, the collision took place in the international terminal area of the airport — a typically high-traffic zone where aircraft are frequently repositioned and prepared for long-haul flights.
Flight 877 was scheduled to depart for Tokyo, while Flight 863 was en route to Sydney. Both flights were preparing for transpacific journeys when the incident occurred. Following the collision, United promptly canceled both departures as a safety measure.
“All passengers were safely deplaned, and no injuries have been reported among customers or crew,” United Airlines said in an official statement. “We are fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation and will work to rebook affected customers as quickly as possible.”
Passengers on board both aircraft described the experience as confusing and unexpected.
“We had just boarded and were getting ready for a long flight when we felt a jolt and then everything stopped,” said one passenger on Flight 863. “The captain told us there was a ground issue, and after a few minutes, we were told to deplane. We didn’t know it was another United jet until we got back into the terminal.”
Photos taken at the scene show minor to moderate damage to the wingtip of one aircraft and the fuselage near the tail section of the other. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have both been notified and are expected to launch a formal investigation into the cause of the incident.
Experts note that while ground collisions are relatively rare, they underscore the complex choreography involved in moving large aircraft safely in crowded airport environments.
“Modern airports are designed to handle thousands of daily aircraft movements, but even with strict procedures in place, human and mechanical errors can occur,” said aviation analyst Mark Daniels. “This incident will likely lead to a review of tug operations, taxiway procedures, and possible lapses in ground coordination.”
San Francisco International Airport, one of the busiest in the United States for international travel, continued operations in other terminals, but the affected area experienced brief delays as ground crews assessed the damage and cleared the site.
The incident also caused frustration and confusion among international travelers, many of whom now face rebookings and long delays. United Airlines stated it is working diligently to accommodate passengers on alternate flights and will provide hotel accommodations and travel vouchers where necessary.
No timeline has yet been given for when either of the damaged aircraft will return to service. Both Boeing 777s will undergo thorough inspections and repairs before being cleared to fly again.
As the investigation moves forward, aviation authorities are expected to review flight data, ground communications, and maintenance records, as well as interview crew members and ground staff involved in the incident.
For now, travelers at SFO are being reminded to check flight statuses and allow extra time for international departures as operations adjust in the aftermath of the collision.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
