Air carrier flight crew reported a critical ground conflict while taxiing to the runway with another aircraft taxiing on a crossing taxiway. The First Officer abruptly applied brakes avoiding a collision and ATC later informed the pilots they were in the middle of shift change during the incident.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported a critical ground conflict while taxiing to the runway with another aircraft taxiing on a crossing taxiway. The First Officer abruptly applied brakes avoiding a collision and ATC later informed the pilots they were in the middle of shift change during the incident.
Narrative
We pushed from Taxiway 1 with instruction to go to [cargo area]. We set up for departure on XXR @ Taxiway 7 but we also briefed for XYL. At [the cargo area] ATC cleared us to XYL via Taxiway 2; Taxiway 3. We are both familiar with ZZZ and so I asked the CA (Captain) if I could go heads down to make the changes and he agreed. I continued to scan outside while making the changes. We proceeded onto Taxiway 4 to make the left onto Taxiway 2. On Taxiway 4 ATC gave us information regarding conflicting traffic at Taxiway 5 (to our left). I believe they told us that we would give way to an [air carrier aircraft] outbound but I don't remember for sure. We both looked left for the traffic but as we approached the left turn on Taxiway 1 I looked right and saw a Cessna Caravan traveling at a high rate of speed on a direct collision course with us. I immediately commanded the CA to 'Stop! Stop! Stop!' When I saw that he was unaware of the threat I took action applying heavy braking. We stopped in time for the caravan to pass without any corrective action on their part but it was a close call. I believe the caravan passed with 20 feet of our nose. Neither the Caravan pilot nor ATC appeared to have any idea of what just happened. After making ATC aware of the incident they informed us they were in the middle of a controller change. Their instruction for us to look left was the worst thing they could have done and almost doomed us.
Second reporter narrative
Departed gate Taxiway 1 to the [cargo area] in ZZZ; on contact with ground we received taxi instructions 'Taxi Taxiway 2; Taxiway 3 to XYL' We cleared; left; right; and forward; then began our taxi on Taxiway 4 to Taxiway 2. After looking for traffic and making sure I had identified the correct turn; the FO (First Officer) announced that he was going heads down to change the runway to XYL. I crossed Taxiway 6 and began my turn onto Taxiway 2 at between 8 and 10kts. Ground control contacted us with instructions or information about traffic at taxiway Taxiway 5 I don't remember exactly what they said. The FO came heads up and we both looked left into the turn for traffic at Taxiway 5. I then saw the FO turn his head to the right and then he shouted; STOP; STOP; STOP and immediately applied full brakes. As we came to a stop I saw a caravan taxi from right to left on Taxiway 2 in front of us at a high rate of speed. Our nose to the wingtip of the Caravan was about 20 feet. Ground control was going through a shift change and never mentioned the traffic conflict to either aircraft. Despite being heads up and scanning during the entire turn maneuver; I did not see the Caravan until my FO had resolved the situation. I believe that the caravan was traveling at a high enough rate of speed that they were continually in my blind spot. I also believe that the Caravan pilots never saw us; they were travelling extremely fast and never braked; maneuvered; or asked ATC about any potential traffic conflicts.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.