Air carrier flight crew reported the Captain had to suddenly brake to avoid another taxiing aircraft which passed in front of them.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported the Captain had to suddenly brake to avoid another taxiing aircraft which passed in front of them.
Narrative
We landed on XR and exited at XX. Instructed to join X and hold short of XL. Instructed First Officer (FO) to remain on Tower frequency until we were clear of all active runways. We were then cleared to cross XL; to join Y; 'keep it moving' and to monitor ground on XXX.X. The FO assisted me in finding the turn onto Y and then checked off VHF #1 to call ramp. I was concentrating on a short distance in front of the airplane in anticipation of the left turn where Y meets XY. As I entered the turn I noticed a light gray object in the darkness above my point of focus. I quickly realized my entire windshield was filled with the image of a company Aircraft Y crossing in front of us from right to left. I applied the brakes and watched as the other airplane cleared our nose by a short distance. We did not receive any advisory about the conflicting traffic nor were we given any 'give way' instructions. Nor did we hear any other airplane receive any such communications. Contributing factors in this incident include fatigue. We were at the end of a duty day that exceeded 11 hours and nearly 8 hours of flying. Also; the late hour (approximately XA:30 local) contributed to a lower level of alertness. Darkness. The incident occurred during hours of darkness and in an area of the airport that is not particularly well illuminated. Taxiway Geometry: The geometry of the intersection of Y and XY is such that the view of Taxiway XY from an airplane on Y is to the right side and not clearly visible. Experience level. The FO is a new hire pilot on his second OE trip. He has no prior 121 experience and this was his first entry into ZZZ. Ideally a real time ground aircraft display on the flight deck would have prevented this incident.
Second reporter narrative
Our Aircraft X landed on Runway XR and cleared the runway. Tower instructed us to hold short XL on Taxiway X and we complied. We were then instructed to cross Runway XL and to join Taxiway Y and monitor ground. After clearing XL on Taxiway X we configured exterior lighting; looked both ways and stated 'cleared left / right' then proceeded to join Taxiway Y. The Captain instructed me to call Ramp and he would monitor Ground. As soon as I put my head down to call Ramp; the Captain stopped the aircraft as a company Aircraft Y was overtaking us on the right from Taxiway XY onto Taxiway Y. I did not see this aircraft when stating 'cleared right' after clearing Runway XL on Taxiway X as we joined Taxiway Y per the controller's direction. The aircraft overtaking us from Taxiway XY onto Taxiway Y did not slow or give way despite our aircraft being established on Taxiway Y. Neither the Captain nor myself heard the controller tell us or the other aircraft to give way to one another.Airport Design. Taxiway Y flow is counter clockwise. The threats from merging taxiway traffic on the right side of the aircraft are difficult to detect as the view of the starboard merging taxiways are constantly shifting aft and right which becomes out of view for the right seat occupant. Low Light: The event occurred at night which limited the ability to detect other aircraft when combined with airport lighting. Experience Level: This was the second OE event for the First Officer with no prior 121 experience and his first event at ZZZ. Fatigue: Long duty day and nearly 8 hours of flying coupled with a local time of ~XA:30. The Ground Controller could have notified either aircraft to give way to the other aircraft and verified the command with a positive response. Neither occupant in our aircraft heard the controller give such instructions to either aircraft.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.