Date: 201207
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ORD.Airport, IL
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Medium Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Taxi
ATC / advisory: Ground ORD
Second aircraft: B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: First Officer; Pilot Not Flying
Human factors: Other / Unknown
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Taxi
Result: Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Procedure
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: We were given instructions from ground to taxi to Runway 22L via taxiways B-D-ZV-M and give way to an MD-80 left to right. After the MD-80 passed the Captain began to taxi via the route instructed by ATC. Approaching Taxiway A16 we noticed a B737 moving slowly towards (almost not moving at all) Taxiway B ahead of us at A16. My Captain began to slow down to make sure the B737 wasn't going to continue on to B ahead of us. He then let off the brakes when he saw the B737 was almost at a stop. As we were about 50 feet from the B737; the B737 began to accelerate and pull out in front of us. My Captain then applied full brakes bringing our aircraft to a full and sudden stop to avoid making contact with the B737. At almost the same time the Ground Controller gave the instruction to give way; but failed to give a callsign. The pilot on the B737 said 'we can't give way now' and the B737 continued to join Taxiway B. The Controller then came on the frequency and said 'sorry that was my fault.' At this time we observed the B737 taxiing down B at a very slow pace once again. At this time I made an announcement to the passengers briefly explaining what had happened. At the same time my Captain said on the Ground frequency 'you know for as slow as you guys taxi you could have given way.' To which the pilot voice responded 'Whaa.' (The sound a baby makes.) The Flight Attendant then called us and stated that she had injured herself when we came to a sudden stop. She said she was in the galley and the stop had thrown her into the forward part of the galley area. The Captain then asked her if anyone else had been injured and she said she would check. As we waited for her to call us back we informed Ground that our Flight Attendant had been injured and we could have more injuries. The Flight Attendant called us back and informed us that everyone was ok and all in their seats. The Captain told the Flight Attendant that we were going back to the gate and we would have the medics there to check on her. I called Operations to get a gate and have them send the paramedics at the same time the Captain was calling Ground to let him know we need to go back to the gate and have the paramedics meet us there. We returned to the gate and waited on the paramedics. The Captain decided to use his Captains Emergency Authority and leave the passengers on board while the paramedics placed the Flight Attendant in the ambulance. I stayed on the aircraft the entire time at the gate with the passengers and the Captain helped put the Flight Attendant and her personal items in the ambulance. After the Flight Attendant was on the way to the hospital the Captain came back on board the aircraft and we deplaned all of the passengers to the terminal.




Synopsis: Regional Jet First Officer reports a ground conflict with a B737 entering Taxiway B from A16; requiring a sudden application of brakes and causing injuries to the Flight Attendant. ATC accepted responsibility for the lack of coordination.