Collision Between Two Planes At U.S. Airport Narrowly Avoided, Sparks Investigation

Two planes avoided a near collision while departing Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport.

The incident, which prompted a federal investigation, occurred when a “Volaris Airlines flight bound for El Salvador made an unauthorized right turn into the path of a United Express flight headed to Jackson, Mississippi,” Fox Business stated.

Two commercial jets narrowly avoided a collision at Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport earlier this month, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, which is investigating.https://t.co/XU9e92woY5

— Houston Public Media (@HoustonPubMedia) December 29, 2025

Fox Business has more:

Air traffic control instructed Volaris Flight 4321 to turn left after departing Houston Intercontinental Airport on Dec. 18, but instead, the crew turned right towards CommuteAir Flight 814, which departed from a parallel runway, according to the FAA.

United Airlines is a partial owner of CommuteAir.

The incident occurred around 3:05 p.m. local time. The FAA said it is still investigating.

Good Morning America discussed the near collision:

Two planes narrowly avoided a collision during takeoff from parallel runways at Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport. @sophieflayabc has the details. pic.twitter.com/XnNxYqRTSh

— Good Morning America (@GMA) December 29, 2025

Houston Public Media shared additional info:

The United Express flight, operated by CommuteAir, contained 41 passengers and three crew members, according to CommuteAir. It was not immediately clear how many passengers were on the Volaris jet, which can reportedly carry up to nearly 200 passengers.

Volaris did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday.

United Airlines deferred comment to CommuteAir, which operates regional United Express flights. Jason Kada, a spokesperson for CommuteAir, said in a statement to Houston Public Media that “based on our initial assessment, our crew followed all applicable ATC instructions.”

Officials with Bush Intercontinental Airport deferred questions about the incident to the FAA, noting that the agency oversees air traffic control operations and aviation safety.

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The news follows a fatal collision in New Jersey between two helicopters.

BREAKING: Two Helicopters Collide in New Jersey — At Least One Fatality

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