23 Jul 2019: Boeing 757 324 — United Airlines

23 Jul 2019: Boeing 757 324 (N57852) — United Airlines

No fatalities • San Francisco, CA, United States

Probable cause

failure of the ground crew to maintain clearance from the parked airplane during pushback.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

On July 23, 2019, about 0048, Pacific daylight time, United Airlines flight 1161, N57852, a Boeing 757-324, received substantial damage during pushback. There were no injuries to the crew or passengers on board. The regularly scheduled domestic passenger flight was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 from San Francisco International Airport (SFO), to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago, Illinois. According to the flight crew, while their airplane was being pushed back from gate 62 at SFO, it impacted a parked airplane, causing damage to their airplane’s right stabilizer and right elevator.

Contributing factors

Incorrect use/operation
Ground crew

Conditions

Weather: VMC

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