Air carrier flight crew reported after push back the aircraft at the adjacent gate was pushed back to a spot that would have resulted in a collision if the aircraft began to taxi.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported after push back the aircraft at the adjacent gate was pushed back to a spot that would have resulted in a collision if the aircraft began to taxi.
Narrative
We were parked at [Gate] XX at ZZZ when cleared to push tail south. Ramp crew pushed as instructed disconnected and left. As we were starting engines; [Gate] XY aircraft began pushing. Aircraft was an A321. XY push crew pushed the aircraft so close that the 321's right wing tip was directly in front of our nose and VERY close and it's right horizontal stabilizer was behind our right forward passenger door; also very close. Captain and I decided if they perform a normal turn out to the left that their tail would surly strike our fuselage. We advised Ramp Tower of the situation who passed it along to the XY flight crew. The XY flight crew acknowledged that they would roll forward and have us tell them that their tail was clear before turning. They rolled forward and we called clear and they made the turn without further incident.
Second reporter narrative
We pushed off Gate XX ZZZ tail south. Crew disconnected aircraft and pulled away. A321 pushed off of Gate XY tail south after us. By the time that ground crew completed their push; the right wing was six feet in front of the nose of our aircraft. The tail of the A321 was abeam the main cabin door 10 feet left of our airplane. To see the tail of the 321 I had to look out of AFT left window. We advised ramp of the potential aircraft collision if that plane made a normal turn out on to line. The A321 requested to pull forward and have us call when his tail was clear of the nose of our aircraft. Had we not told the other crew how close the two plane were; they would have never known that we were there! Ramp stated that two aircraft should be able to push from those gates together. If both push crews put the planes where they are suppose to be; in my opinion; those planes are way too close to operate safely. Had both crews not been on frequency and not been able talk to each other; the two planes might have collided today.
More incidents for this aircraft family →
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.