B777 flight crew reported while turning onto a taxiway an Airbus was taxiing rapidly up an intersecting taxiway resulting in a critical ground conflict. The B777 crew stopped their turn and the Airbus moved off the centerline and continued taxiing past.
Synopsis
B777 flight crew reported while turning onto a taxiway an Airbus was taxiing rapidly up an intersecting taxiway resulting in a critical ground conflict. The B777 crew stopped their turn and the Airbus moved off the centerline and continued taxiing past.
Narrative
Our original taxi clearance to taxi to Runway XR was given to us on XXX.X. After we started our taxi; we were instructed to monitor XXX.XX. Just past Taxiway 1; our clearance was updated to taxi via [Taxiway] 2; 3; 4; 5; give way to a 737 on 3. We saw one 737 ahead of us on 2 and one taxiing on 4. The 737 ahead of us was taxiing very slowly and the second 737 on 4; passed 3 well before we reached it. We cleared our turn onto 3 to the best of our ability being nearly parallel to Taxiway 4. Because the 777-300 is such a long aircraft; it requires us to oversteer the 3 centerline before we can make the turn. During our right hand turn onto 3; as more of Taxiway 4 became visible; we noticed a company Airbus 319 approaching 3 on Taxiway 4 at a rather high taxi speed. We abruptly stopped the 777 as we did not know the intentions of the Airbus. 3 Taxiway is so short; our aircraft's nose slides over 4 Taxiway before we can get fully aligned with Taxiway 3. The Airbus made no attempt to stop and instead swerved off the 4 centerline to clear our nose.No comments were made by us; the Airbus or Ground on XXX.XX. We waited for the Airbus to pass us and continued our taxi to Runway XR.
Second reporter narrative
Our initial taxi clearance from ZZZ Ground was delivered on frequency XXX.X to Runway XR. Shortly after beginning our taxi; we were instructed to monitor Ground on XXX.XX. Positioned just past intersection 1 on Taxiway 2; our clearance was updated: 'Continue taxi on 2; 3; 4; 5; give way to the 737 on 2.' We had visual on two 737s: one directly in front of us on 2 and another slightly ahead of us and to our right on Taxiway 4. The 737 ahead of us on Taxiway 2 was moving at a very slow speed; so our traffic to follow (the 737 to our right on 2) was well in front of us and near [Taxiway] 6 by the time I began the right turn at 3. Prior to making the right turn onto 3; I halted the Before-Takeoff Checklist for us to clear the right side. Being a 777-322; I would need to make a hard right ninety-degree squared off turn followed by another ninety-degree squared off left turn onto 4. As I began the turn onto 3 both myself and my First Officer confirmed we were clear on the right. However; as my nose came around; we saw an Airbus (Flight XXXX) taxing towards us on 4 at a fairly rapid rate and it was evident he was not going to stop. I stopped rather quickly in the midst of my turn. The Airbus moved off the 4 centerline to the right and continued taxi. No exchanges were made on frequency XXX.XX by us; by ATC or by the Airbus. Once the Airbus was past us; we continued to taxi to Runway XR. I never heard any transmissions or instructions from Ground Control directed to Flight #XXXX. The only communication I heard for them was once they were cleared for takeoff just before us; which is when I learned their flight number. At no point when this occurred did ATC revise their instructions to us; indicate who had the right of way; or if they were aware there was a conflict. Due to receiving clearances on different frequencies--ours on XXX.XX and theirs most likely on XXX.X--we had no knowledge of each other's taxi instructions. It's unclear if we were both on the same frequency when the event occurred; which may have prevented situational awareness on both sides.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.