On Friday afternoon, October 17, 2025, two United Airlines jets made contact while taxiing at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, prompting a brief operational delay but, thankfully, no injuries. The incident, which unfolded around 2:30 p.m. local time, involved United Flight 2652 arriving from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and a stationary United aircraft parked at the gate. The arriving jet, with 113 passengers and five crew members on board, clipped the rear stabilizer of the stationary plane with its right wing tip as it maneuvered toward its designated gate.
According to CBS News, United Airlines quickly confirmed the details: "Our teams followed standard safety procedures, and passengers exited the aircraft normally….Both aircraft will be thoroughly inspected before returning to service." The airline also emphasized that there were no injuries and that all passengers disembarked safely after the brief delay.
Passengers on Flight 2652 described the experience as largely uneventful until an announcement was made regarding the delay. Some initially assumed it was a routine operational hold, but soon noticed increased activity outside their windows. Bill Marcus, a passenger on the flight, recounted, "I didn’t feel anything at first…It wasn’t until I saw more crew members gathering around the plane that I realized something had happened." Marcus, like many others, waited approximately 40 minutes before the plane finally reached the gate. Despite the unexpected pause, passengers praised the crew’s calm and transparent handling of the situation, noting that communication remained clear throughout.
Preliminary reports suggest that ground positioning and visibility factors may have contributed to the incident, as Flight 2652 was on its final approach to the gate when the collision occurred. O’Hare, being one of the busiest airports in the United States, is no stranger to ground handling challenges. Runway and taxiway congestion can sometimes lead to such incidents, even as safety protocols remain stringent.
Airport personnel and airline crews responded swiftly, pausing ground operations momentarily to assess the situation and inspect both aircraft for potential damage. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and United Airlines have launched investigations to determine the precise cause of the taxiway mishap. Maintenance teams immediately began thorough inspections and repairs to ensure both planes comply with all regulatory standards before returning to service. The FAA reported no additional operational impact at O’Hare as a result of the event.
This minor collision at O’Hare is not an isolated event in recent aviation news. Within 24 hours of the Chicago incident, two unrelated United Airlines flights at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) also experienced disruptions. The first involved a minor contact between two United planes during pushback, and the second saw a return to SFO after a burning odor was detected in the cabin. In both cases, safety checks were carried out, flights were temporarily delayed, but no injuries occurred. According to the FAA, the San Francisco collision happened in a non-controlled ramp area, where ground crews, rather than air traffic controllers, manage aircraft movements. Both planes involved in that incident were taken out of service for inspection, and passengers were rebooked on replacement aircraft.
Incidents like these, while uncommon, highlight the immense complexity and high-stakes nature of airport surface operations, especially at major air travel hubs. At O’Hare, the sheer volume of aircraft movements each day increases the risk of ground incidents, despite robust safety systems and crew protocols. The fact that both the O’Hare and San Francisco events resulted in no injuries and minimal disruption is a testament to the effectiveness of existing procedures, but it also serves as a reminder of the constant vigilance required in aviation safety.
Bill Marcus’s account of the O’Hare incident underscores just how subtle such events can be from a passenger’s perspective. He explained, "I didn’t feel anything at first…It wasn’t until I saw more crew members gathering around the plane that I realized something had happened." It was only after the pilot announced that documentation was necessary due to the collision that the reality of the situation became clear to those on board. Passengers, after waiting for about 40 minutes, were able to disembark normally and without further incident.
As United Airlines and the FAA continue their investigations, attention has turned to broader concerns about aviation safety. This latest incident in Chicago follows a string of runway collisions at major airports across the United States. Earlier in the month, two Delta Air Lines jets collided at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, resulting in an injury to a flight attendant. Even more alarming was a severe crash earlier this year at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Each event has fueled ongoing debate about the adequacy of current safety measures and the need for continual improvement.
United Airlines has reiterated its commitment to safety, stating that both aircraft involved in the O’Hare incident will be thoroughly inspected and repaired as needed before they return to service. The airline is cooperating fully with the FAA and other authorities to determine whether procedural or human factors played a role in the collision. The investigation’s findings will likely influence future training and operational protocols, not just for United but potentially for the industry as a whole.
For travelers, these incidents are a stark reminder that even with the most advanced technology and rigorous procedures, air travel carries inherent risks. However, the swift and effective response by both airline crews and airport personnel in these recent cases demonstrates that safety remains the industry’s top priority. Passengers can take some comfort in knowing that every incident, no matter how minor, is meticulously reviewed to prevent future occurrences.
As the investigation at O’Hare continues, aviation experts and regulators will be watching closely. The outcome could shape new guidelines for ground operations at busy airports nationwide. For now, United Airlines and the FAA are focused on ensuring the safety of future flights and restoring public confidence in the wake of these unsettling, if fortunately non-injurious, events.
With the aviation industry facing renewed scrutiny, every detail matters. The incident at O’Hare serves as a timely reminder of the importance of vigilance, communication, and continuous improvement in keeping the skies—and the tarmac—safe for all.
