A B757 flight crew taxiing for takeoff at bwi in predawn darkness had to stop abruptly to avoid a co...

Narrative:

After a normal pushback from gate at bwi; we requested taxi from ground control. We were given 'taxi via taxiway C; cross runway 22 to runway 28.' it was dark since the sun had not risen. I heard air carrier Y being given instructions to also cross runway 22 and taxi to runway 28. I did not know where the aircraft was since I am not too familiar with bwi. We taxied out on taxiway C and proceeded with our before takeoff checklist. Approaching the hold pad for runway 28; I slowed down to properly see where I needed to go. The first officer made an announcement to prepare for takeoff. As I was looking to turn right toward the runway; I caught a light and some movement on the left side through the corner of my eye. The first officer also saw the aircraft at the same time and started to yell 'stop!' I applied the brakes immediately as an air carrier jet just barely taxied in front of our aircraft. The ground controller was also working the tower frequency. They did not give either aircraft a sequence; nor did they advise either aircraft of the other's position. This could have been a major accident. Contributing factors were the dark conditions and unclear taxi instructions from ground controller. Ground controller should have sequenced the aircraft and told each of them of aircraft positions. Supplemental information from acn 824775: 1) I heard air carrier call for taxi just before we did but assumed if there were any conflict; we would be sequenced by ground -- which we were not. 2) both aircraft had their taxi lights on. The aircraft; approaching from behind and on our left; had a much better view of the situation. I have no idea why they didn't stop or query ground or both. 3) we switched to tower at the appropriate time; with no aircraft between us and the runway (or so we thought!). The air carrier flight was still on ground control. 4) tower was broadcasting on all frequencies at that time with a single controller. We heard no call from the tower on any frequency after we began to taxi out.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A B757 flight crew taxiing for takeoff at BWI in predawn darkness had to stop abruptly to avoid a collision with another air carrier. They had been cleared to the runway with no advisory from ground of other traffic.

Narrative: After a normal pushback from gate at BWI; we requested taxi from Ground Control. We were given 'taxi via Taxiway C; cross Runway 22 to Runway 28.' It was dark since the sun had not risen. I heard air carrier Y being given instructions to also cross Runway 22 and taxi to Runway 28. I did not know where the aircraft was since I am not too familiar with BWI. We taxied out on Taxiway C and proceeded with our before takeoff checklist. Approaching the hold pad for Runway 28; I slowed down to properly see where I needed to go. The First Officer made an announcement to prepare for takeoff. As I was looking to turn right toward the runway; I caught a light and some movement on the left side through the corner of my eye. The First Officer also saw the aircraft at the same time and started to yell 'Stop!' I applied the brakes immediately as an air carrier jet just barely taxied in front of our aircraft. The Ground Controller was also working the Tower frequency. They did not give either aircraft a sequence; nor did they advise either aircraft of the other's position. This could have been a major accident. Contributing factors were the dark conditions and unclear taxi instructions from Ground Controller. Ground Controller should have sequenced the aircraft and told each of them of aircraft positions. Supplemental information from ACN 824775: 1) I heard air carrier call for taxi just before we did but assumed if there were any conflict; we would be sequenced by Ground -- which we were not. 2) Both aircraft had their taxi lights on. The aircraft; approaching from behind and on our left; had a much better view of the situation. I have no idea why they didn't stop or query Ground or both. 3) We switched to Tower at the appropriate time; with no aircraft between us and the runway (or so we thought!). The air carrier flight was still on Ground Control. 4) Tower was broadcasting on all frequencies at that time with a single Controller. We heard no call from the Tower on any frequency after we began to taxi out.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	824887
Time
Date	200902
Local Time Of Day	0001-0600
Place
Locale Reference	BWI.Airport
State Reference	MD
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B757-200
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Taxi
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Medium Transport Low Wing 2 Turbojet Eng
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Taxi
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Captain
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 240 Flight Crew Total 15500 Flight Crew Type 4000
Person 2
Function	First Officer Pilot Flying
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 120 Flight Crew Total 8500 Flight Crew Type 4200
Events
Anomaly	Conflict Ground Conflict Critical

A B757 flight crew taxiing for takeoff at bwi in predawn darkness had to stop abruptly to avoid a collision with another air carrier. They had been cleared to the runway with no advisory from ground of other traffic.