A United Airlines pushback turned bumpy on Labor Day night at San Francisco International Airport, when a departing flight clipped the tail of another aircraft parked at the gate, creating a sudden, jarring impact felt like a mini “earthquake” by passengers. The collision occurred in a portion of the ramp not under air traffic control oversight.
Despite the shock of the collision, no injuries were reported. Both groups of passengers safely deplaned and were rebooked onto other aircraft to complete their trips. United and the FAA confirmed the incident is under investigation.
While not wholly uncommon, incidents like this highlight growing concerns in aviation circles. Experts and recent investigations point to such ground collisions rising in frequency—often driven by factors like limited ground control oversight or tightening staffing levels.