Air carrier flight crew reported during pushback another aircraft began to taxi in front of their aircraft. The other aircraft deviated from the taxi line to avoid a collision.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported during pushback another aircraft began to taxi in front of their aircraft. The other aircraft deviated from the taxi line to avoid a collision.
Narrative
During push back; engine start; wave off and a brake set; I was situationally was aware that our company began their pushed back from gate XX Aircraft Y to spot X cleared by ground. We got clearance to push tail North on to taxiway 1. After a normal start of engine two; and the sequential start of engine one; I had commented to the first officer to bring his attention to our company now calling for taxi while we were well into the interception of taxiway 2 and 1 where our ground crew had pushed and disconnected us. In doing so; I knew taking his attention off the engine motoring was in the interest of safety so I said; I don't know how this is going to work." Before he had time to look up our company began to taxi out in front of us. I explained how the first officer had a better vantage point. This is where we saw their wingtip pass right in front of us by at least 20 feet. As I was going to explain and do so myself on frequency that this taxi out wasn't a good idea; I noticed the aircraft move away from us laterally as they taxied off center line to avoid collision closer to their departure gate XX.They taxied out and didn't hit us thankfully and we began our normal procedures from there.I don't know how close their wingtip passed to be very honest but it was way to close for comfort. I almost turned on our lights to avoid the potential issue but that would have cause other problems that I was going to use that as a last resort. My first response was to say something to ground but without the time we had I didn't know how else we could have avoided each other if they didn't taxi off center line in the dark; somewhat low lighted ramp/ taxi area. I could have had the ramp crew push us further north but instructions from ATC weren't very clear as to how far north and if there was a concern to not block gates behind us or block the alley. I should have inquired about them taxiing out in the first place but I couldn't do much but talk and light up the airplane with the parking brake set and no other way to push further back. Ultimately I don't think I was smart to call for taxi that close either. Taxiing out on one engine could have gotten us out faster however in the interest in the abundance of safety; a two engine taxi with a dark taxi out and a runway to close; that was briefed and mitigated as such to taxi out with two engines."
Second reporter narrative
After pushback and the tug had disconnected; we started both engines. During engine start; Aircraft Y pushed from gate XX and went to spot X. We had been pushed onto taxiway 1 tail north. It looked like Aircraft Y was ready to taxi out to the runway and ground cleared them to taxi forward in front of our aircraft. The captain directed me to look outside. They taxied in front of us with their wingtip coming within approximately 20 feet from the nose of our aircraft. We were parked with our parking brake on. We watched the other aircraft deviate from the taxi line to the right so as to not hit the nose of our aircraft. We continued normal procedures after that.The ramp was dimly light but provided enough light so that we could clearly see them and the taxi line. We were not given specific instructions from ramp as to how far north we were to push. We could have taxied out single engine or light up the aircraft but quite frankly; I think the correct answer was for the other aircraft to wait to taxi until we had finished up and cleared out of our spot.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.