While go arounds happen all the time, here’s an interaction you don’t often hear…
In this post:
United Express CRJ-700 blames go around on United 777
Airline Videos Live has both video and air traffic control communication of an unusual interaction that happened shortly after 12PM on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
Specifically, a United Express Bombardier CRJ-700 operated by SkyWest was coming in to land after a short flight from Reno (RNO) as UA5899. At the last minute, the pilots performed a go around, which isn’t unusual as such.
As the plane was climbing out, the air traffic controller asked the pilots to share the reason for the go around (a standard question). One of the pilots responded “the 777’s tail was way over the line for 28L,” referring to a United 777-200ER that was queuing for takeoff on runway 28R. For those not familiar, runways have a “hold short line,” and if a plane is landing, every part of the runway needs to be clear, for obvious reasons.
However, in this case the air traffic controller immediately snapped back — “no, it absolutely is not, we can see it, but thanks for that report, contact departure 135.1.”
The United Express plane ended up coming back around for another landing, and touched down at 12:22PM, after a total flight time of 67 minutes.
That was quite the sassy interaction!
While pilots and air traffic controllers having disagreements is nothing new, this is quite unusual, given how authoritatively both parties express themselves:
- Pilots should always err on the side of caution, so if they see any potential conflicts, going around is the right course of action
- The air traffic controller sure snapped back right away, insisting that what the pilot was saying wasn’t true, because the tower also has a view of the runway, though admittedly from a different vantage point
It’s hard to know what exactly to make of this interaction, since none of us were there. The pilots of the United Express jet had no incentive to make up a fake reason for the go around, and at the same time, the air traffic controller presumably just responded with what he saw. So this is very much a “he said, he said” situation…
Bottom line
A United Express CRJ-700 performed a last minute go around while on approach to SFO. When the air traffic controller asked about the reason for the go around, the pilot responded it was because a 777’s tail was over the runway line. The air traffic controller quickly snapped back, and insisted that wasn’t the case, “but thanks for that report.”
What do you make of this SFO ATC interaction?
"The pilots of the United Express jet had no incentive to make up a fake reason for the go around,"
If they were 1000 feet too high and 25 knots too fast, no one would care if that was the real reason?
The pilot carried out a dynamic risk assessment upon approach. His decision to abort the landing on safety grounds is 100% is unquestionably valid. For ATC to question the pilots call, in my opinion, brings that ATC action into question.
What would be really interesting to hear is the 777/ATC conversion.
Is it just me or did the 777 start to inch forward in the last 2 seconds of the video? Wish video was just a tad longer.
The edge to edge distance between 28L and 28R is 550ft enough to fit two 777s. If this 777 was correctly holding short of the line to 28R, it would be quite a bit away from 28L. May be it wasn't quite up to the hold line in...
Is it just me or did the 777 start to inch forward in the last 2 seconds of the video? Wish video was just a tad longer.
The edge to edge distance between 28L and 28R is 550ft enough to fit two 777s. If this 777 was correctly holding short of the line to 28R, it would be quite a bit away from 28L. May be it wasn't quite up to the hold line in front and left the tail hanging out just a bit where both ATC and RJ pilot could have been right seeing from their perspectives.
What is this, bash-the-pilots day at OMAAT? Mistakes happen. Glad everyone’s alright.
@ 1990 -- I don't think there's any bashing of pilots or air traffic controllers in this post. As I explained, I think it's an interesting interaction, and I don't know which side was in the right.
You’re good, Ben. Nice to report on what’s happenin’. Just bustin’ balls ova’ere. Sowie.
I certainly don’t think the article bashed the pilots, but “gets schooled by ATC” in the headline made me think that the story would indicate wrongdoing by the pilots. Always happy to see anyone err on the side of caution.