SAN FRANCISCO- A United Airlines (UA) Airbus A320, operating as Flight UA1152, narrowly avoided a mid-air collision with a SkyWest CRJ-200 shortly after taking off from San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
The incident, which took place around 5:10 p.m., has sparked a federal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the near-catastrophe.
Flight UA1152 departed from Runway 1R, headed to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), and was instructed to execute a right turn following the TRUKN Standard Instrument Departure (SID).
Simultaneously, SkyWest (OO) Flight 5273 took off from parallel Runway 1L, bound for Fresno-Yosemite International Airport (FAT), with clearance for a left turn via the SSTIK SID. These procedures are standard for simultaneous departures on parallel runways at SFO.
However, shortly after takeoff, UA1152 veered left instead of right, crossing into the path of the ascending SkyWest aircraft.
The two planes came alarmingly close, approximately 1.1 miles horizontally and 280 feet vertically apart, before the SkyWest crew, alerted by their Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), took evasive actions to avert a collision.
Miscommunication
According to a debriefing, the first officer of UA1152, who was flying the aircraft and was unfamiliar with departures from SFO, followed incorrect guidance from the Flight Management System (FMS), initiating a left turn at about 500 feet altitude.
The captain attempted to correct the course by entering a new heading, but by that time, the aircraft had already crossed into the path of the SkyWest flight.
Compounding the issue, the local air traffic controller mistakenly commanded “fly runway heading” when they intended to say “fly present heading.” This miscommunication exacerbated the confusion in the cockpit during a critical phase of the flight.
FAA Launches Investigation
The FAA has started an investigation into the incident. Both United Airlines (UA) and SkyWest Airlines (OO) are fully cooperating with the inquiry.
United Airlines (UA) has also launched an internal review to evaluate the factors contributing to the near miss.
A spokesperson for United stated, “We are conducting a thorough internal review of this incident and are collaborating with the FAA to ensure the highest levels of safety.”
Aviation experts have voiced concerns regarding the incident, emphasizing the crucial need for clear communication and adherence to standard protocols during takeoff and departure phases. The combination of pilot inexperience, reliance on automated systems, and controller miscommunication highlights the necessity for rigorous training and compliance with procedures.
“This event serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences when standard protocols are not strictly followed,” commented an aviation safety analyst.
Flights Continued to their Destinations
Despite the close call, both flights continued to their respective destinations without further incident. UA1152 continued to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), and SkyWest 5273 proceeded to Fresno (FAT).
The FAA’s investigation is ongoing, with further details expected to be released as they become available.
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Based on an article from aviationa2z.com: https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/06/01/united-a320-nearly-collides-with-skywest-plane-at-sfo/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=united-a320-nearly-collides-with-skywest-plane-at-sfo
