A319 flight crew reported a critical ground conflict during departure taxi with an arriving non-communicating taxiing aircraft. The Captain came to an immediate stop to avoid a collision.
Synopsis
A319 flight crew reported a critical ground conflict during departure taxi with an arriving non-communicating taxiing aircraft. The Captain came to an immediate stop to avoid a collision.
Narrative
ZZZ North Ramp is uncontrolled. Per Airport information; intentions and coordination are to be broadcast on Ramp/UNICOM frequency. 5 min prior to push we began to monitor this frequency for other traffic. When our ground crew was ready; we announced our intentions to push off Gate XX and asked if any other traffic was on or approaching the ramp. None answered. After single engine start we were ready for a right turn off gate XX. First Officer (FO) asked if there was any traffic on the ramp on the Ramp/UNICOM frequency. Again no answer. We noticed a ground crew at Gate XY that was ready to accept an arriving aircraft so we waited and was surprised to see an aircraft arriving to that gate at an unusually high speed (with flaps down). We then called again on the Ramp/UNICOM frequency announcing our intentions to make a right turn out of Gate XX and proceed to Spot 1. About 1/2 way around our 180 degree turn we ended up having to stop immediately from hitting Aircraft Y that had entered the ramp and had turned to park at Gate XZ. If the FO had his head down; it is likely we would have hit Aircraft Y. Aircraft Y never announced their intentions on the ramp/UNICOM frequency. After stopping we called Aircraft Y twice. They answered the second time so it was clear that both they were on the frequency and chose not to follow the self announce procedure as required. This intentional non-compliance by another airline nearly caused a ground contact between our 2 planes.
Second reporter narrative
Prior to push from ZZZ Gate XX; I self-announced location/intentions on the uncontrolled common ramp frequency. Uneventful push and single-engine start up. Made another announcement and traffic query prior to taxi; specifically stating we would make a right turn to depart the north ramp. Just before we began moving; I saw an aircraft to our right; proceeding into Gate XY; that had made no announcement prior to ramp entry. Once the aircraft was clear I told the Captain 'clear right;' and as he was turning right we both observed Aircraft Y inbound on the taxi line; heading to either [Gate] XA or XZ. Captain came to an immediate stop in the turn; and once Aircraft Y began turning into their gate we continued our right 180. No announcement was heard by the aircraft during our startup or taxi.ZZZ relies on CTAF self-announcing for all ramp areas. On arrival the night before and during our departure; I overheard several planes announce intentions prior to movement on the south ramp. Both the aircraft and Aircraft Y planes did not make any calls; at least in the few minutes preceding our push and taxi. After clearing the ramp again; and prior to switching to ZZZ Ground; the Captain hailed Aircraft Y crew to inform them of our sudden stop to avoid likely wingtip contact. Their reply demonstrated ignorance of the self-announce expectation and obliviousness of our near-miss.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.