B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 220; Flight Crew Type 2851
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical
Human Factors; Procedure
Aircraft X (inbound after landing) and Aircraft Y (outbound before takeoff) avoided a near ground collision at the intersection of Taxiway XX and Taxiway X. Aircraft X contacted Ground upon entering XA Taxiway north of Runway XXR for the gate. Ground directed Aircraft X to; 'Taxi via XA; X'. Approximately half way down XA; Ground directed Aircraft X to 'give way to Company at X'. Ground further clarified the Company Aircraft was at our 10 o'clock; and to allow the aircraft access to the alley; then to continue taxi. The Company Airbus was in a right turn from XY to X. Both the Captain and First Officer had the Company Airbus in sight. The Captain stopped the aircraft at the intersection of XX and Taxiway X and set the parking brake. After the Company Airbus entered the alley; the Captain released the parking brake in anticipation of continuing taxi. Both crew members sighted Aircraft Y to the right which was taxiing south on X just past XZ.As the Captain released brakes to begin taxiing with one engine operating; both crew became unclear as to the intentions of Aircraft Y because its taxi light remained on and it continued moving on X Taxiway. Having only moved 20 ft. closer to X Taxiway and recognizing the inability to complete the left 90 degree turn without avoiding a catastrophic collision; the Captain came to a stop and began flashing all available lights. As Aircraft Y continued to approach Aircraft X; it became even more apparent there was no wingtip clearance with the flight deck of Aircraft X. The First Officer made several transmissions to warn Aircraft Y of the impending collision. Aircraft Y continued taxiing. Ground Control then advised Aircraft X that he had relayed the information to another Ground Controller to Aircraft Y. Aircraft Y abruptly slowed and came to a stop with its left wingtip approximately 35 ft. from and in line with the flight deck of Aircraft X. As a further reference; the nose wheel of Aircraft Y was stopped directly in front of and on the extended centerline of Aircraft X. The First Officer informed the Ground Controller that the two aircraft were at a standoff. The Ground Controller then advised he would coordinate ground based assistance. After a brief pause; the Ground Controller then relayed that Aircraft Y was going to attempt a sharp right turn off the Taxiway A centerline in order to continue taxiing. As Aircraft Y executed a sharp right turn away from and around Aircraft X; the 787's right wing's closest point of approach was approximately 15 ft. from the nose of Aircraft X.
After landing; Tower instructed us to join XA and call Ground. Ground control told us to turn left on X. There was a Company Airbus turning on X already. I stopped the aircraft and gave way to the Airbus. With the parking brake set; we noticed a rapidly approaching B787 on Taxiway X. Ground made no contact with the aircraft. We assumed that he was on another frequency. The aircraft continued toward us. We said stop" on the radio. I flashed all my lights. Finally; he stopped with a few feet between us. He told Ground that he could continue taxing. He taxied to the gate."
Air carrier flight crew reported a critical ground conflict with an outbound aircraft. The outbound aircraft; which was on a different frequency; did not stop until its wingtip was close to the flight deck of the inbound aircraft. The outbound aircraft then successfully turned away; putting its wingtip even closer to the inbound aircraft.