Date: 201507
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Night
Aircraft: B737 Next Generation Undifferentiated
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Taxi
ATC / advisory: Ramp ZZZ
Second aircraft: B737 Next Generation Undifferentiated
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: First Officer; Pilot Not Flying
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness; Distraction; Confusion
Second reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Aircraft
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Taxi
Result: Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Procedure
Primary problem: Procedure

Narrative: We had pushed off of Gate X and were completing the engine start on the number one engine when the aircraft on Gate XY pushed back between us and the aircraft that had pushed off of Gate XZ. We were given clearance to turn right 270 degrees to taxi to Spot X. As we started the turn the Captain hit the brakes and exclaimed that we had hit the aircraft's wing. I didn't feel an impact; I only felt the Captain applying the brakes. As I couldn't see the wing on the left side. I took him at his word that we had touched wingtips. We then coordinated with Operations and Ramp Control to taxi back into the gate.Ground Crews waiting before pushing adjacent aircraft at night. Our aircraft touched wingtips with the aircraft that pushed back next to us.


Second narrative: Pushback and start were uneventful. However; we noticed an aircraft off of Gate X which had pushed; which would require us to make a right 270 turn out of the ramp to taxi to Runway XY if they did not taxi soon. Soon thereafter; an -800 aircraft on Gate X; immediately to our left; began its push. The FO and I both commented on how close the aircraft were at the gates and I kept my eye on their push because I knew they would be close to us. The -800 Pushback Crew began to turn the tail of the -800 away from us to give more room. The -800 Crew stopped the taxi and the -800 Wing Walker on the right side of the -800 indicated the wings were clear. The -800 winglet was approximately 10 feet in front of my winglet. We called for taxi and were given a right 270 to taxi to Runway XY. I cleared right and from my point of view we were well clear of the -800 and the Wing Walker appeared to be giving a clear sign to his Tug Driver. I added power and started an immediate right turn; crosschecking the winglets. The winglets appeared to be clear; but as I turned; my left winglet grazed the right winglet of the -800. I stopped the taxi and told the FO I hit the -800. He didn't feel the impact and thought it was me getting on the brakes. We coordinated to go back to the gate and have the aircraft inspected. Our -700 had virtually no damage. The -800 had a scrape on the winglet that was extremely hard to see. Again; the winglets appeared to be clear from the cockpit; the Wing Walker gave no indication the winglets were not clear; but my expectation was not the reality of the situation.


Synopsis: A B737 First Officer reported that during pushback; as they turned away from the gate to taxi; the Captain reported his left wing contacted the wing of the adjacent aircraft. The aircraft returned to the gate.