On May 13, 2025, a United Airlines flight departing from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) narrowly avoided a mid-air collision due to a directional error shortly after takeoff. United Flight UA1152, an Airbus A320 bound for Dallas, was cleared to turn right after departing Runway 1R. Simultaneously, SkyWest Flight 5273, a CRJ-200 heading to Fresno, took off from parallel Runway 1L with instructions to turn left. However, the United jet mistakenly turned left, directly into the path of the SkyWest aircraft.

The two planes came alarmingly close—approximately one mile apart horizontally and just 280 feet vertically. A traffic-alert system prompted the SkyWest crew to execute an evasive maneuver, narrowly averting a collision. This incident underscores the critical importance of clear communication and adherence to established procedures in aviation safety.

Investigations revealed that the United first officer, unfamiliar with SFO's departure procedures, followed incorrect guidance from the flight-management system. Compounding the issue, an air traffic controller, managing multiple flights at the time, used the term “fly runway heading” instead of the correct “fly present heading,” contributing to the confusion

Both flights continued to their destinations without further incident. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation, and United Airlines is conducting a detailed internal review to prevent future occurrences.