Close Call at SFO: Two Jets Nearly Collide on Parallel Runways

San Francisco Airport Near Miss: FAA Investigates Close Call Between United and SkyWest Flights A close call occurred at San Francisco International Airport on May 13, 2025, involving a United Airlines flight and a SkyWest flight. Both planes were taking off from parallel runways when the United flight made an unauthorized turn, putting it directly in the path of the SkyWest flight. Air traffic control intervened, directing the SkyWest flight to take evasive maneuvers, narrowly avoiding a collision. "ATC: Skywest 5273 we're maneuvering for traffic," the air traffic control audio reveals. The United flight, according to the FAA, turned without authorization. The FAA is now investigating the incident to determine the cause of the near-miss and prevent future occurrences. Greg Feith, a former NTSB investigator, commented on the video, highlighting the close proximity of the parallel runways at SFO and the potential for catastrophic events. "There's a lot of things going on at a very dynamic environment," he stated, emphasizing the importance of a thorough investigation into the crew's actions. Both United Airlines and SkyWest are cooperating with the investigation. While the near miss was a serious incident, the quick thinking of the SkyWest crew and air traffic control prevented a potential tragedy. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety protocols in air travel.