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Asiana 214 Crash Incident at San Francisco International - unabridged audio
ATC audio capturing the immediate transition from routine operations to a major crash emergency at SFO.
Summary
On July 6, 2013, Asiana Airlines Flight 214 crashed while attempting to land on Runway 28L at San Francisco International Airport. This transcript documents the moments before the impact, the immediate cessation of all airport traffic, and the coordination of emergency rescue vehicles. It features chilling eyewitness reports from pilots on the ground seeing survivors near the wreckage.
Analysis
This recording captures one of the most significant aviation accidents in recent U.S. history. The incident began when Asiana Flight 214, a Boeing 777-200ER, approached San Francisco International (SFO) too low and too slow. The aircraft's landing gear and tail struck the seawall at the threshold of Runway 28L, causing the tail to break off and the fuselage to slide down the runway before coming to a stop and catching fire.
The transcript begins with routine operations, showing the high-density environment of SFO with multiple aircraft being cleared for parallel landings and departures on intersecting runways. The tone shifts instantly when the controller realizes a disaster has occurred, issuing an immediate "stand by" order to all aircraft and halting all taxiing. This rapid "ground stop" is a critical safety protocol to clear the way for emergency responders and prevent further incidents in the chaos.
A particularly notable moment occurs when the controller directs multiple aircraft behind the crash, such as Horizon 635 and Skywest 5452, to perform "go-arounds." These pilots are suddenly diverted from their landings into a holding pattern or to alternate airports like San Jose. The technical aspect of the "Quiet Bridge visual" approach mentioned by Skywest 5452 is relevant here; the ILS (Instrument Landing System) glide slope for runway 28L was out of service that day, requiring pilots to fly visual approaches, which was a contributing factor in the Asiana crew's mismanagement of their descent.
The most emotionally heavy portion of the transcript involves United 885. The pilot, sitting at a hold short line near the crash site, provides real-time reconnaissance to the tower. His report that survivors are "alive and walking around" near the runway numbers provided the first indication to the controllers and emergency teams that the crash was survivable for many on board. The subsequent clearance of "Rescue" units (33, 11, 10) to cross all active runways demonstrates the total priority shift from air traffic management to life-saving operations.
In the aftermath, this incident led to significant discussions regarding pilot reliance on automation and the challenges of visual approaches at major airports. While three passengers tragically lost their lives, the rapid response documented in this audio—clearing the runways and getting medical teams to the scene within minutes—is credited with preventing a higher death toll.
Original ATC Communication
Plain English Translation
SKYWEST 6263
Skywest 6263 in S-bridge, 28-right.
SKYWEST 6263
Skywest 6263 is passing the San Mateo bridge, lining up for runway 28-right.
ATC
Skywest 6263, San Francisco Tower. Runway 28-right, cleared to land. Wind 170 at 7. Caution: wake turbulence, 757 landing runway 28-left.
ATC
Skywest 6263, this is San Francisco Tower. You are cleared to land on runway 28-right. Wind is 7 knots from the south. Watch out for the turbulent air left by that Boeing 757 landing on the parallel runway.
SKYWEST 6263
Cleared to land 28-right, Skywest 6263.
SKYWEST 6263
Cleared to land on 28-right, Skywest 6263.
ALL NIPPON 8
San Francisco Tower, All Nippon 8 Heavy on final 28-left.
ALL NIPPON 8
San Francisco Tower, this is All Nippon 8. Our heavy jet is on final approach for runway 28-left.
ATC
American 1487, traffic's on a two-and-a-half mile final. Wind 190 at 7, runway 1-right, cleared for takeoff.
ATC
American 1487, there is another plane about two and a half miles out on approach. Wind is 7 knots from the south, you're cleared for takeoff on runway 1-right.
AMERICAN 1487
Cleared for takeoff 1-right, American 1487.
AMERICAN 1487
Cleared for takeoff on 1-right, American 1487.
ATC
All Nippon 8 Heavy, San Francisco Tower. Runway 28-left, cleared to land.
ATC
All Nippon 8, San Francisco Tower. You are cleared to land on runway 28-left.
ALL NIPPON 8
28-left, cleared to land, All Nippon 8 Heavy.
ALL NIPPON 8
Runway 28-left, cleared to land, All Nippon 8.
ATC
Skywest 6492, contact ground .8.
ATC
Skywest 6492, switch your radio over to ground control on frequency 121.8.
SKYWEST 6492
.8, Skywest 6492.
SKYWEST 6492
Switching to point-eight, Skywest 6492.
ATC
United 694, hold short runway 28-left.
ATC
United 694, stop and wait just before you reach runway 28-left.
UNITED 694
Hold short 28-left, United 694.
UNITED 694
Holding short of 28-left, United 694.
ATC
Skywest 5427, San Francisco Tower. Runway 1-right, line up and wait.
ATC
Skywest 5427, San Francisco Tower. Move onto runway 1-right and wait there, but do not take off yet.
SKYWEST 5427
Line up and wait 1-right, Skywest 5427.
SKYWEST 5427
Moving onto 1-right to wait, Skywest 5427.
HELICOPTER 73SF
Tower, Helicopter 73 Sierra Foxtrot, gap departure.
HELICOPTER 73SF
Tower, this is Helicopter 73 Sierra Foxtrot, requesting to take off from the shoreline gap.
ATC
Copter 73 Sierra Foxtrot, San Francisco Tower. Gap departure approved. Squawk 0363.
ATC
Helicopter 73 Sierra Foxtrot, San Francisco Tower. You're cleared to depart through the mountain gap. Set your radar code to 0363.
HELICOPTER 73SF
Tower, Copter 73 Sierra Foxtrot.
HELICOPTER 73SF
Tower, this is Helicopter 73 Sierra Foxtrot.
ATC
Copter 73 Sierra Foxtrot, gap departure approved. An All Nippon Heavy 777 is under tow.
ATC
Helicopter 73 Sierra Foxtrot, gap departure is approved. Just so you know, a massive All Nippon 777 is being towed nearby.
HELICOPTER 73SF
Roger.
HELICOPTER 73SF
Got it.
ATC
Skywest 6389, San Francisco Tower. Runway 28-right, cleared to land.
ATC
Skywest 6389, San Francisco Tower. You are cleared to land on runway 28-right.
SKYWEST 6389
Cleared to land 28-right, Skywest 6389. Traffic's in sight for the parallel.
SKYWEST 6389
Cleared to land on 28-right, Skywest 6389. We have the other plane on the parallel runway in sight.
ALASKA 244
Tower, Alaska 244 approaching spot 1 taxi. We're going to need 1-right today.
ALASKA 244
Tower, Alaska 244 is approaching taxi spot one. We’d like to use runway 1-right today.
ATC
Alaska 244, San Francisco Ground. Taxi runway 1-right via Alpha.
ATC
Alaska 244, San Francisco Ground control. Taxi to runway 1-right using taxiway Alpha.
ALASKA 244
Alpha to 1-right, Alaska 244.
ALASKA 244
Using Alpha to get to 1-right, Alaska 244.
SKYWEST 6389
Cleared to land 28-right, traffic’s in sight, Skywest 6389.
SKYWEST 6389
Authorized to land on 28-right, we see the other plane, Skywest 6389.
ASIANA 214
Tower, Good morning, Asiana 214. Final seven miles 28-left.
ASIANA 214
Tower, good morning, Asiana 214 here. We’re on our final approach, seven miles out from runway 28-left.
ATC
Skywest 5427, hold in position. Taxi up to the power point. On departure, fly heading of 010.
ATC
Skywest 5427, hold your position. Taxi up to the engine run-up area. After takeoff, fly a heading of 010 degrees.
HELICOPTER 73SF
Tower, Copter 73 Sierra Foxtrot, gap departure.
HELICOPTER 73SF
Tower, Helicopter 73 Sierra Foxtrot, ready for that gap departure.
ATC
Copter 73 Sierra Foxtrot, San Francisco Tower. Gap departure approved. Squawk 0363.
ATC
Helicopter 73 Sierra Foxtrot, San Francisco Tower. Your departure through the gap is approved. Set your radar code to 0363.
HELICOPTER 73SF
Tower, Copter 73 Sierra Foxtrot.
HELICOPTER 73SF
Tower, this is Helicopter 73 Sierra Foxtrot.
ATC
Skywest 5427, on departure fly heading 010. Runway 1-right, cleared for takeoff without delay.
ATC
Skywest 5427, once you’re airborne, fly a heading of 010 degrees. You are clear to take off on runway 1-right, but you need to go immediately.
SKYWEST 5427
Takeoff without delay, Skywest 5427.
SKYWEST 5427
Taking off right away, Skywest 5427.
ATC
United 223, San Francisco Tower. Runway 1-right, line up and wait. We might be able to get you out this hole.
ATC
United 223, this is San Francisco Tower. Pull out onto runway 1-right and wait there. We might be able to squeeze you out into this gap in traffic.
UNITED 223
Line up and wait 1-right, United 223.
UNITED 223
Pulling onto 1-right to wait, United 223.
ATC
All Nippon 8 Heavy, contact ground .8.
ATC
All Nippon 8, you big heavy jet, switch over to the ground controllers on frequency point-eight.
ALL NIPPON 8
.8, All Nippon 8 Heavy.
ALL NIPPON 8
Over to point-eight, All Nippon 8 Heavy.
ATC
United 162/Skywest 6263, hold short runway 28-left.
ATC
United 162 and Skywest 6263, stop and wait just before you reach runway 28-left.
SKYWEST 6263
Short 28-left, Skywest 6263.
SKYWEST 6263
Stopping before 28-left, Skywest 6263.
ATC
United 223, just hold in position. We'll be in the next hole.
ATC
United 223, just stay right where you are on the runway. We’ll get you out in the next gap in traffic.
UNITED 223
Sounds good, United 223. Holding position 1-right.
UNITED 223
Sounds good, United 223. Staying put on runway 1-right.
ASIANA 214
Tower, Asiana 214, short final.
ASIANA 214
Tower, this is Asiana 214, we are on our final approach and very close to landing.
ATC
Frontier 830, Roger. Runway 1-right. Are you able to make the left turn there at Alpha, Foxtrot 1, and Bravo?
ATC
Frontier 830, I hear you. You’re on runway 1-right. Can you make that left turn onto the taxiways named Alpha, then Foxtrot 1, and then Bravo?
FRONTIER 830
1-right via Alpha, Foxtrot 1, Bravo.
FRONTIER 830
Using runway 1-right via taxiways Alpha, Foxtrot 1, and Bravo.
UNITED 885
Tower, United 885.
UNITED 885
Tower, this is United 885.
PILOT
Yes, United 885, at the end. We might need a few more minutes here, just a heads up.
PILOT
Yeah, United 885 is here at the end. We’re going to need a few more minutes here before we're ready, just letting you know.
ATC
United 885, Roger. Hold short of runway 28-left. Let me know when you're ready.
ATC
United 885, I hear you. Stop and wait just before you reach the left-side runway. Tell me when you’re ready to go.
UNITED 885
Hold short 28-left, United 885.
UNITED 885
Waiting before the left runway, United 885.
SKYWEST 5452
San Francisco Tower, Skywest 5452, quiet bridge visual 28-right.
SKYWEST 5452
San Francisco Tower, this is Skywest 5452, we are following the bridge approach and have the right-side runway in sight.
ATC
Skywest 5452, San Francisco Tower. Runway 28-right, cleared to land.
ATC
Skywest 5452, San Francisco Tower. You are authorized to land on the right-side runway.
SKYWEST 5452
Cleared to land 28-right, Skywest 5452.
SKYWEST 5452
Authorized to land on the right runway, Skywest 5452.
ATC
Copter 3 Sierra Foxtrot, radar contact. Pass 600.
ATC
Helicopter 3 Sierra Foxtrot, I see you on my radar screen. Report as you pass 600 feet.
HELICOPTER 73SF
600, 3 Sierra Foxtrot.
HELICOPTER 73SF
Passing 600 feet, 3 Sierra Foxtrot.
ATC
Everybody calling, stand by. Do not taxi. Frontier 830, hold your position.
ATC
Everyone trying to call me, wait a moment. Do not move on the taxiways. Frontier 830, stay exactly where you are.
FRONTIER 830
Hold position, Frontier 830.
FRONTIER 830
Staying right here, Frontier 830.
ATC
Skywest 6389, fly heading 280, maintain 3000.
ATC
Skywest 6389, fly a compass heading of 280 and stay at 3,000 feet.
SKYWEST 6389
280, 3000, Skywest 6389.
SKYWEST 6389
Heading 280, staying at 3,000, Skywest 6389.
ASIANA 214
Tower, Asiana 214.
ASIANA 214
Tower, this is Asiana 214.
ATC
Asiana 214 Heavy, emergency vehicles are responding.
ATC
Asiana 214, you large aircraft, the fire trucks and rescue teams are heading to you now.
ASIANA 214
Okay, Asiana 214 Tower... Asiana 214.
ASIANA 214
Okay, Asiana 214 Tower... this is Asiana 214.
ATC
Emergency vehicles are responding. Okay, Asiana 214. Tower, Asiana...
ATC
The emergency vehicles are responding. I understand, Asiana 214. Tower, Asiana...
ATC
Cessna 737 Zulu Delta, San Francisco Tower, remain clear of San Francisco Class Bravo airspace. Contact San Carlos Tower.
ATC
Cessna 737 Zulu Delta, this is San Francisco Tower. Stay out of the busy San Francisco airport airspace for now. Switch over and talk to the controllers at San Carlos Tower.
CESSNA 7ZD
7 Zulu Delta contacting San Carlos Tower and remains clear.
CESSNA 7ZD
7 Zulu Delta is switching to San Carlos and staying clear of your airspace.
ATC
Helicopter 3 Sierra Foxtrot, leaving the Bravo airspace in two miles. Radar services terminated. Squawk maintain VFR, frequency change approved.
ATC
Helicopter 3 Sierra Foxtrot, you'll be out of the busy airport airspace in two miles. I'm ending your radar tracking now. Set your transponder to the standard visual flight code and you're free to change radio channels.
PILOT
Show all runways closed for the time being, please.
PILOT
Please mark all runways as closed for the time being.
ATC
All runways are closed. Airport is closed, San Francisco Tower.
ATC
All runways are now shut down. San Francisco Tower reporting the entire airport is closed.
PILOT
Roger that.
PILOT
Understood.
ATC
Horizon 635, San Francisco Tower.
ATC
Horizon 635, this is San Francisco Tower.
ASIANA 214
Asiana 214...
ASIANA 214
Asiana 214...
ATC
Asiana 214 Heavy, San Francisco Tower.
ATC
Asiana 214, this is San Francisco Tower.
ASIANA 214
Tower...
ASIANA 214
Tower...
HORIZON 635
Horizon 635, go around.
HORIZON 635
Horizon 635 is aborting the landing and climbing back out.
ATC
Horizon 635, fly heading 265, maintain 3100.
ATC
Horizon 635, fly a compass heading of 265 and stay at 3,100 feet.
HORIZON 635
265, 3100, Horizon 635.
HORIZON 635
Heading 265 and 3,100 feet, Horizon 635.
ATC
Asiana 214 Heavy, emergency vehicles are responding. We have everyone on their way.
ATC
Asiana 214, emergency vehicles are responding. We have everyone on their way to help you.
ASIANA 214
Roger, Tower.
ASIANA 214
Understood, Tower.
ATC
Skywest 5452, San Francisco Tower, go around.
ATC
Skywest 5452, San Francisco Tower, abort your landing and fly around for another try.
SKYWEST 5452
Go around, Skywest 5452.
SKYWEST 5452
Aborting and flying around, Skywest 5452.
ATC
Skywest 5452, fly heading 280, maintain 3000.
ATC
Skywest 5452, fly a compass heading of 280 and stay at 3,000 feet.
SKYWEST 5452
280, 3000, Skywest 5452.
SKYWEST 5452
280 heading and 3,000 feet, Skywest 5452.
ATC
Horizon 635, fly heading 265, maintain 3100.
ATC
Horizon 635, fly a compass heading of 265 and stay at 3,100 feet.
HORIZON 635
Yes sir, 265, 3100, Horizon 635.
HORIZON 635
Yes sir, 265 heading and 3,100 feet, Horizon 635.
ATC
Horizon 635, contact NorCal Departure, 135.1.
ATC
Horizon 635, switch your radio to Northern California Departure on 135.1.
HORIZON 635
135.1, Horizon 635.
HORIZON 635
Switching to 135.1, Horizon 635.
ATC
Skywest 5452, contact NorCal Departure, 135.1.
ATC
Skywest 5452, switch your radio to Northern California Departure on 135.1.
SKYWEST 5452
135.1, Skywest 5452.
SKYWEST 5452
135.1, Skywest 5452.
SKYWEST 6389
Skywest 6389 will go to San Jose.
SKYWEST 6389
Skywest 6389 is going to divert and land at San Jose instead.
ATC
Skywest 6389, Roger. Contact NorCal Departure.
ATC
Skywest 6389, understood. Switch over to the Northern California Departure controllers.
SKYWEST 6389
Departure frequency exactly?
SKYWEST 6389
What was that departure radio frequency exactly?
ATC
135.1, Skywest 6389.
ATC
It's 135.1, Skywest 6389.
SKYWEST 6389
Thank you, good day.
SKYWEST 6389
Thank you, have a good day.
RESCUE 33
San Francisco Tower, Rescue 33 on Mike. Cross 1-left, 1-right.
RESCUE 33
San Francisco Tower, this is Rescue 33 on taxiway Mike. We’re crossing runways 1-Left and 1-Right.
ATC
Rescue 33, San Francisco Tower. Proceed to the scene, cross all active runways.
ATC
Rescue 33, San Francisco Tower. Get to the crash site immediately; you are cleared to cross all active runways in your path.
RESCUE 33
San Francisco Tower, Rescue 33 on the scene. Crossing 1-left, 1-right.
RESCUE 33
San Francisco Tower, Rescue 33 is arriving at the scene. We are crossing runways 1-Left and 1-Right now.
ATC
Rescue 11, San Francisco Tower. Proceed as requested. Cross all runways.
ATC
Rescue 11, San Francisco Tower. Go ahead as you requested. You have permission to cross all runways.
RESCUE 10
San Francisco Tower, Rescue 10 on Foxtrot to cross the 1.
RESCUE 10
San Francisco Tower, Rescue 10 is on taxiway Foxtrot and needs to cross the runway 1 area.
ATC
Rescue 10, cross runway 1-left, cross runway 1-right.
ATC
Rescue 10, go ahead and cross runway 1-Left and runway 1-Right.
RESCUE 10
Rescue 10 crossing 1-left, crossing 1-right.
RESCUE 10
Rescue 10 is now crossing runway 1-Left and runway 1-Right.
ATC
Everybody calling on ground, it's going to be a while. Just hold your position and do not acknowledge.
ATC
To everyone calling in from the taxiways, it’s going to be a long wait. Stay exactly where you are and don't even radio back to acknowledge this.
UNITED 885
Tower, United 885.
UNITED 885
Tower, this is United flight 885.
ATC
United 885, say again.
ATC
United 885, go ahead, what was that?
UNITED 885
Yes, this is United 885. We're holding short of 28-left. We see people, and I think they need immediate attention. They are alive and walking around.
UNITED 885
Yes, this is United 885. We’re stopped just short of runway 28-Left. We can see people out there, and I think they need help immediately. They’re alive and walking around on the airfield.
ATC
United 885 Heavy, Roger. You said people are just walking out of the airplane right now?
ATC
United 885, I understand. Are you saying there are people just walking out of the airplane right now?
UNITED 885
Yes, some of the people look like they're struggling.
UNITED 885
Yes, and some of those people look like they are really struggling.
ATC
Roger, we have emergency vehicles responding.
ATC
Received, we have the emergency crews heading to them now.
UNITED 885
Thank you. They're right out near the 28-right numbers... excuse me, the 28-left numbers. Between the runways, there are people right adjacent to the numbers. We can see about two or three people that are moving and apparently survived.
UNITED 885
Thank you. They’re right near the start of runway 28-Right—sorry, I mean the 28-Left markings. In the space between the runways, there are people right next to the numbers painted on the ground. We can see about two or three people moving who clearly survived.
ATC
Roger.
ATC
Understood.
MOBILE 101
Tower, Mobile 101 on Foxtrot. Cross 1-left, 1-right.
MOBILE 101
Tower, this is airport vehicle 101 on taxiway Foxtrot. We need to cross over runways one-left and one-right.
ATC
Mobile 101, San Francisco Tower, proceed to the scene. Cross 1-left, 1-right.
ATC
Vehicle 101, San Francisco Tower, go ahead to the emergency scene. You are cleared to cross runways one-left and one-right.
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