Date: 201311
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: MIA.Airport, FL
Light: Night
Aircraft: Large Transport; Low Wing; 3 Turbojet Eng
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Taxi
ATC / advisory: Ground MIA
Second aircraft: A330
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: First Officer
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Distraction; Situational Awareness
Second reporter function: Captain
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Taxi
Result: Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Procedure
Primary problem: Ambiguous

Narrative: We were taxiing from MIA Spot 13 for Runway 27. We were planned for a 26L departure. Ground (121.8) gave us clearance to taxi via Whiskey; Quebec; [and] Runway 27 which was read back by us. With the runway change we needed new takeoff data and our FMC needed to be updated with the new runway assignment. I announced I would be 'heads down' while I programmed the FMC. As we approached the intersection of Papa/Quebec I came back outside to ensure that we were following our taxi clearance as we approached multiple taxiways and an upcoming runway. From the right side of the aircraft a swift moving Airbus (approximately 25 knots) operated by a foreign carrier was moving toward us on Quebec. The Captain saw the Airbus aircraft come into view and smoothly and swiftly brought the aircraft to a stop at the intersection of Papa/Whiskey as the aircraft continued on Quebec. Miami Ground (still 121.8) asked us if we could turn left on Papa and continue taxi to Runway 27. We complied. The Airbus aircraft came to a stop on Quebec because their ramp or gate was not ready to accept them (they had just landed). We were asked by Ground to taxi on Papa past the Airbus and transition back to Quebec to hold short of Runway 27 and switch to Miami Tower. The Ground Controller never mentioned the near collision and we were somewhat in disbelief that we were not warned of the other aircraft on the same taxi route. Fortunately; the Captain saw the merging aircraft avoiding a near taxi disaster. Do not have the North Ground controller give taxi clearances to aircraft operating in south structure.


Second narrative: First Officer calls inside to correct for runway change. I taxied left on Whiskey and proceeded toward Quebec to make a left turn toward Runway 27. As I approached Quebec getting ready to turn onto it I spotted a moving object on my right. I jumped on the brakes; stopped the aircraft just as an Airbus rolled right in front of us at a fast clip. Ground then cleared us left on Papa which we were able to do. No one commented on the near collision. I was in disbelief and did not bring up the issue.Better coordination on taxi clearances; especially at night. Obvious total absence of Ground Control monitoring ground traffic. Stated sequence and priority established would avoid any chance of confusion or potential collision.


Synopsis: An air carrier crew stopped rapidly on MIA Taxiway Whiskey to avoid colliding with a fast moving foreign carrier's A330 on Quebec. Ground Control gave no traffic warning or acknowledgment of the conflict.