2024-01 · NASA ASRS report 2080754
An air carrier flight crew reported they braked suddenly while taxiing into the hold bay to avoid colliding with a commercial fixed wing taxiing to the same spot.
Aircraft was Aircraft X. We were cleared to cross Runway 15 at K and enter the hold bay and switch to Tower frequency. An Aircraft Y was cleared to cross Runway 15 at J and switch to Tower. It took several calls for Ground to get the clearances through due to radio congestion. We proceed to cross 15 and come left to enter the hold bay. As we are entering the bay I called for Taxi Checklist. The FO (First Officer) reaches to grab the checklist and I glance to his side of the plane. When I looked over the Aircraft Y was overtaking us and crossing over into the hold bay. I quickly applied the brakes and come to a stop. The Aircraft Y continued and crossed in front of us missing us by what appeared to be 4 to 5 feet. Had I not stopped we would have collided. I put Ground on number 2 radio and talked to the Ground Controller while still monitoring Tower. I asked Ground if he cleared the Aircraft Y into the hold bay; at first he said yes. I then said so you cleared us both into the hold bay at the same time ? He responded with no; the Aircraft Y should have stayed on J; unless Tower told him different; let me check. Tower nor the Ground controller said anything else about the incident at question.Cause: Broken / congested radio calls on DCA Ground. Potential confusion on instructions by 1 or both crews. Suggestion: Make sure you clear around you before turning and if you think an aircraft is supposed to give way; make sure their taxi light is off prior to turning in front of them. At no time did the FO or I hear any instruction for an aircraft to give way indicating that the Aircraft Y would be merging over.
After pushback in DCA; we were cleared to taxi to Runway 19 via Taxiway K; and to hold short of Runway 15. An Aircraft Y was simultaneously taxiing on Taxiway J off to our right. I heard Aircraft Y get their clearance to cross Runway 15 on J while we were holding short of 15. The frequency was very congested; and it took a couple attempts for us to receive our clearance to cross on Taxiway K; due to multiple aircraft transmitting simultaneously. Once across Runway 15 and into the pad; the Captain called for the taxi checklist. While running the checklist; we noticed the Aircraft Y out of the corner of our eye moving across the pad from our right. The Captain promptly applied the brakes; and the Aircraft Y wingtip cleared us by about 5 or 6 feet. Had he not stopped; we would have collided. The Aircraft Y continued and held short on Taxiway K ahead of us. We finished our checklist; and the Captain called Ground on our number 2 radio to ask about the situation. Aircraft Y was cleared to take off soon after these events transpired; and we took off a few minutes after. Cause: Broken/congested radio calls on DCA Ground. Potential confusion on instructions by 1 or both crews. Suggestion: Always have your head on a swivel; and don't assume that because standard procedures exist that everyone will know to follow them. Also don't rely on what you hear and expect that to happen. At no point did the captain or I hear any instructions or warnings from a controller indicating we should be expecting to be in close proximity to another aircraft; or that anyone would need to give way.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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