Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Human Factors
We were waiting at spot XX along with another aircraft at spot XX1. Spot XX1 was cleared to taxi; and shortly after that we were instructed to taxi to [runway] XXR via Kilo. We were told the aircraft on our right waits for us. The aircraft to the right did yield and we started to pull out of spot XX to make a left turn onto Kilo. I looked right and then left and saw the aircraft that exited spot XX1 turn right onto Kilo. As we were turning left I called out stop; stop; stop." The Captain stopped the aircraft quickly. There was room for the plane from spot XX1 to continue taxiing. The Ground Controller then stated to give way and that he meant to tell us the plane at XX1 was going the opposite direction on Kilo to join Lima to XXR. Neither of us were aware of that when it occurred. The Captain called the Flight Attendants to check on them and one said that she fell into a wall in the galley; but wanted to continue with the flight to ZZZ1. The same Flight Attendant stated to the Captain in ZZZ1 that she was fit to fly back to ZZZ.[Reporter added incident was due to] Poor taxi instructions given by ZZZ Ground Control. We never should have been cleared to taxi until the traffic from spot XX had cleared us going the opposite direction; or our clearance to taxi should have included to give way to opposite direction traffic from spot XX1."
We were positioned at ZZZ ramp spot XX. An aircraft at spot XX1 was cleared to taxi to [runway] XXR; but I wasn't paying attention to his routing. I thought I heard via 'Kilo.' Immediately after that; we were cleared to [runway] XXR via Kilo; and told an airplane on Kilo to our right waits on us. The airplane at spot XX1 began taxiing and I began my taxi so as to be in front of the airplane on our right that was taxiing; but waiting on us. I can't be positive; and it may have been just my expectation; but I thought I saw the airplane from spot XX1 (on our left now) start a left turn on Kilo. With him safely in front of us (I thought); I briefly looked down at the FMC then to my right to make sure we were clear of the airplane on Kilo. The First Officer then said; stop; stop; stop." The aircraft from spot XX1 had turned to the right not left; and was now right in front of us. He had been cleared to the runway via Kilo; K5; Lima. We had not been moving very fast since we had just left spot XX; but I applied the brakes quickly to ensure safe separation. This; I learned later; had caused our number one Flight Attendant; who I did not know was standing; to lose her balance and fall against the galley area. Ground Control then apologized for not letting us know; or to give way. We continued to the runway and I spoke with the crew to make sure they were okay; our number one especially. They all said they were okay and that they were good to continue to ZZZ1. In flight; the number one Flight Attendant told me she wanted to file an injury on duty report. I was very concerned for her at that point; but she said she was just a little sore; she could perform all her duties; and we would be okay to continue. I concurred with her that it would be safe to continue to ZZZ1. We were scheduled to turn around and fly back to ZZZ.I was still very concerned; so I asked the number one to coordinate with her supervisor and get guidance since she wanted to also fly back to ZZZ. I called safety to get guidance as well. Our Flight Attendant stated she was fine to fly back and could perform any and all her duties. After observing; and speaking with her; the First Officer and I both concurred with her assessment that it was safe and reasonable to continue. We landed uneventfully in ZZZ and a team member met the airplane for our number one."
Flight crew reported a critical ground conflict due to a communications breakdown between Ground Control and flight crew.