United Airlines Tarmac Collision Shocks Chicago O’Hare: FAA Now Investigating Incident!

Written By: Shreya Saha

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October 18, 2025 12:00 GMT+5:30

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On Friday afternoon, a United Airlines tarmac collision occurred at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, involving two passenger jets. The incident occurred when United Airlines Flight UA2652, a Boeing 737, was taxiing to its arrival gate and collided with the horizontal stabilizer of another stationary United Airlines jet. Notably, the other jet involved in the incident, a Boeing 767, had no passengers on board at the time. While the collision caused some concern, United Airlines confirmed that all 113 passengers and five crew members aboard UA2652 were safely deplaned, with no injuries reported.

Following the incident, passengers were asked to disembark so that the aircraft could undergo inspection and assessment. The airline ensured the safety of all individuals onboard. According to the airline, both aircraft involved were inspected promptly, and no major damage was reported. United Airlines acted swiftly to manage the situation, ensuring minimal disruption to other operations. This incident has been reported and is under investigation by relevant authorities, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Similar Incidents Involving United Airlines in 2025

In addition to the collision at Chicago O’Hare, several other noteworthy aviation incidents occurred in 2025, involving United Airlines and other airlines, reflecting safety challenges faced by the aviation industry.

September 2025: United Airlines Boeing 737 Collision at San Francisco International Airport

Another significant event occurred on September 1, 2025, when two United Airlines Boeing 737 aircraft collided on the tarmac at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The collision resulted from a failure in the tow bar during a pushback operation, which caused one aircraft to make unintended contact with the other. This incident was also thoroughly investigated by the FAA. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the passengers or crew members, though both aircraft sustained damage. As with the Chicago incident, United Airlines responded promptly to the situation, ensuring the safety of all those involved. The FAA is conducting further investigations to determine the cause of this accident and implement corrective actions.

January 2025: American Airlines and United Airlines Collision at Chicago O’Hare

Another incident involving United Airlines occurred on January 8, 2025, at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. This time, American Airlines Flight 1979, a Boeing 737-800, collided with United Airlines Flight 219, a Boeing 787, while both aircraft were taxiing on separate taxiways. The collision happened when the wingtip of Flight 1979 struck the tail of Flight 219. Thankfully, no injuries were reported among the passengers or crew, and both aircraft were inspected after the collision. The United Airlines flight was rescheduled to depart later that day. As with other incidents, the FAA has initiated an investigation into the causes of this collision to prevent future occurrences.

February 2025: Tug Vehicle Collision Involving United Airlines at Chicago O’Hare

On February 2, 2025, a United Airlines tug vehicle was struck by the wing of an American Airlines aircraft while crossing the runway at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. The collision flipped the tug vehicle, trapping the driver underneath it. The driver, a 64-year-old United Airlines employee, sustained head and lower body injuries. However, the driver’s condition was later reported to be stable. No injuries were reported among the passengers or crew of the American Airlines flight involved in the collision. Both American Airlines and Chicago police are conducting investigations into the cause of the incident to determine how such an event occurred and how it can be prevented in the future.

April 2025: United Airlines Flight 1513 Cabin Fire Emergency Landing

On April 3, 2025, United Airlines Flight 1513, a Boeing 737, experienced a cabin fire shortly after departing from Key West International Airport in Florida. In response to the emergency, the crew declared an emergency and returned the aircraft safely to Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Thankfully, there were no injuries, and all passengers were safely evacuated. The FAA is investigating the cause of the cabin fire, with airlines taking steps to improve fire prevention measures onboard their aircraft.

April 2025: United Airlines Flight 1627 Hydraulic Issue at Washington National Airport

United Airlines Flight 1627, an Airbus A320, reported a potential hydraulic issue on April 2, 2025, shortly after departing from George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. The aircraft was forced to return to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport for further inspection. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the aircraft was safely brought back to the airport. The FAA is conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the hydraulic issue and ensure proper maintenance and inspection protocols are followed.

February 2025: United Airlines Flight 27 Smoke in Cabin at Chicago O’Hare

On February 1, 2025, United Airlines Flight 27, a Boeing 787, reported smoke in the cabin shortly after departing from Denver International Airport. The flight crew declared an emergency and safely returned to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, where the aircraft was inspected. No injuries were reported, and passengers were safely evacuated once the plane was grounded. The FAA is investigating the cause of the smoke and any potential mechanical failures.

Safety Measures and Investigations

Each of these incidents highlights the importance of thorough safety protocols and prompt action from the airlines and authorities. The FAA and other regulatory bodies play a crucial role in investigating these incidents, ensuring aviation safety standards are met, and helping prevent similar events in the future. In the aftermath of such incidents, airlines typically conduct their own internal investigations to identify any procedural or mechanical issues that could have contributed to the problem.

As the airline industry continues to evolve, these incidents also serve as a reminder of the need for ongoing vigilance and improvements in safety practices. Aviation safety protocols are constantly being reviewed and updated to address emerging risks, technological advancements, and operational challenges. In the case of United Airlines and the incidents that occurred in 2025, the airline has taken swift action to mitigate any potential risks and continue providing safe travel for passengers and crew members.

Conclusion: Ongoing Efforts for Aviation Safety

The recent incidents involving United Airlines reflect the inherent challenges and complexities of aviation safety. While each of the situations described above resulted in no fatalities or serious injuries, they underscore the importance of maintaining high standards of safety across all aspects of air travel. The FAA, along with other aviation safety organizations, will continue to investigate these events to identify areas for improvement and help enhance safety measures.

As the airline industry works towards a safer future, these incidents serve as important learning opportunities to ensure that both passengers and crew members are always protected during flights and ground operations. United Airlines, as well as other carriers, will likely continue to refine their operational procedures and safety protocols to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.