2025-04 · NASA ASRS report 2233747
Air Carrier Flight Crew reported while taxing out for departure and waiting at an intersection when they noticed an aircraft that taxied too close to their aircraft resulting in them not being able to move to avoid a collision with the other aircraft. ATC moved the other aircraft and they departed the airport without further incident.
While working a flight ZZZ-ZZZ1; at about; XA25 on Day 0; we were stopped short of taxiway 1 on taxiway 2; First Officer informed me there was a Piper Cherokee aircraft abeam the FO side window. My line of sight was blocked. I had to lean over towards the FO side window to take a look. I saw Aircraft Y abeam the FO side window. Not being able to see Aircraft Y from to CA's seat means they were very close. If First Officer had not said anything to me I would not have known Aircraft Y was abeam us. If I were to have released the parking brake to move up to the Taxiway 1 hold short line; without the First Officer's keen observation; we could have potentially struck that aircraft with the right hand engine.Aircraft Aircraft Y was not there when we taxied westbound on taxiway 2 from taxiway 3. There were only three aircraft in sight when making the left turn onto Taxiway 2. A Cessna 172 on the ramp in the non-movement area south of Taxiway 2 near Taxiway 1; and two aircraft holding short of runway XXL on Taxiway 1. Those two aircraft were: a Piper Seminole and a Piper Cherokee (not Aircraft Y). The only possible way Aircraft Y could have gotten their position was to taxi under our wing. I queried ZZZ Ground Control if Aircraft Y had taxied under our wing. The pilot of Aircraft Y broadcasted his admission that he that had taxied under our wing to get to that position. Disregarding safety; the pilot of Aircraft Y endangered the well-being of the Crew; Passengers; and another aircraft. The First Officer had mentioned to me that they were holding their cell phones up possibly taking pictures and laughing (again that how close the were) raising an eyebrow to potentially suspicious activity.
While holding short of Taxiway 1 intersection for takeoff on runway XXL; behind 2 aircraft; we noticed another aircraft very close; too close to our right side near the engine; it just appeared and as I looked in awe; I noticed 3 occupants; laughing; waving; cameras out taking video/pictures of us in the flight deck. This was extremely suspicious and quite possibly a test or rehearsal of sorts. Upon immediately notifying my captain; we quarried ground control; ground control called the aircraft Aircraft Y; questioning why they cut in front of us; the aircraft admitted they maneuvered under our wing to get ahead us. In turn; they were told to contact the tower via phone; after they return; ultimately they were told to taxi back to the ramp; which cleared the way for us to take off in sequence. This was a first for me; it raises concern given today's climate regarding the see something; say something" philosophy and the current state of world affairs. I instantly thought that it wouldn't be too far fetched to believe this could possibly be a test of reaction or even a rehearsal for something worse in the future. Does the FBO have security searching the students and staff before entering the flight line? We have to go through a security checkpoint to access our aircraft. I am concerned that this is something more than a simple mistake on the FBO folks. Please let me know if further elaboration is required."
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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