B737 flight crew reported while taxiing to their gate another air carrier began push back from their gate directly in their path. The B737 flight crew stopped their aircraft to avoid a collision.
Synopsis
B737 flight crew reported while taxiing to their gate another air carrier began push back from their gate directly in their path. The B737 flight crew stopped their aircraft to avoid a collision.
Narrative
After the before taxi checklist was completed; we asked Ground for clearance to taxi. 'Taxi to Runway XX via X...ahhh... Z.' As instructed; we began our taxi. Approaching Gate XX coming around the corner we saw Aircraft Y (another carrier) pushing back. Initially we thought they were going to stop the push and let us go by. That didn't happen. Captain (Person A) slowed the aircraft at the same time. They said; 'I don't think they're gonna stop.' As we came to a complete stop Aircraft Y continued the pushback. I hopped on the Ground frequency and stated 'Aircraft Y stop your push! Stop moving!' The wing walkers also were doing their job on the Aircraft Y and crew and were jumping up and down telling the tug driver to stop. Eventually Aircraft Y stopped and pulled forward so we could taxi to Runway XX. The rest of the flight was uneventful. The taxiway had some construction on it; and it was NOTAMed out of service which the Captain and I briefed on. ATC initially gave us a taxi instruction to taxi via the taxiway but quickly remembered and changed the instructions to Z.
Second reporter narrative
Pushed back from Gate XX ZZZ; operating Aircraft X ZZZ-ZZZ1. Active runway was XX. Completed engine start and associated checklists and received taxi clearance to Runway XX via Taxiway X. Per NOTAM; Taxiway Z; the outer taxiway; was closed. As we initiated our taxi; ZZZ Ground cleared Aircraft Y (other carrier) flight to push off Gate YY. As we turned east on Taxiway X approaching Gate YY; the Aircraft Y ground crew had initiated their push with the aircraft's tail encroaching on Taxiway X. We stopped the aircraft well short; however the Aircraft Y tug driver continued their aircraft's push onto Taxiway X. An Aircraft Y wing walker observing the incursion attempted to stop the push; however the tug driver did not respond. Only after both myself and the First Officer (FO) broadcasted on Ground frequency with urgency to the Aircraft Y flight crew to immediately stop the push did they finally halt movement. The Aircraft Y flight deck crew indicated they were trying to stop the push; however; could not communicate with the tug driver. The Aircraft Y ground crew was able to move their aircraft so we could safely pass. The ATC Ground Controller was also working Tower; and perhaps Clearance Delivery. ATC should not have cleared Aircraft Y to push as we were established on the only taxiway to the active runway. ATC task overload was clearly a contributing factor. The inability of the Aircraft Y ground and flight deck crew to have constant communication with the tug driver was another. Closest distance between aircraft was 20 ft.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.