B757 flight crew reported taking evasive maneuvers during arrival to EWR due to receiving a TCAS RA when passing overhead a small aircraft reported to be 500 feet below by the ATC Controller.
Synopsis
B757 flight crew reported taking evasive maneuvers during arrival to EWR due to receiving a TCAS RA when passing overhead a small aircraft reported to be 500 feet below by the ATC Controller.
Narrative
Night conditions. Just after PHILBO Arrival on vectors with NY Approach for ILS 22L. Still south of field at 6;000 feet; we were flying on a 090 heading and told to fly heading 360; and that we will have traffic; a small aircraft; that would stay below us. On 360 heading we received a TCAS TA followed by TCAS RA. Target was 10 o'clock indicating 500 feet below our altitude. I followed RA guidance and First Officer reported TCAS RA to ATC. Traffic was hidden by small cloud; but after passing cloud I visually acquired traffic. Continuing to follow RA guidance climbing; the target passed directly below us; indicating 800 feet below; as I had climbed 300 feet. Approximate location [was] SE of SBJ VOR.
Second reporter narrative
After a few minutes ATC gave us a left turn to heading 360 and advised us of cirrus traffic passing under us at 5;500 feet. 500 feet below our current altitude. After 30 seconds we get a TA; followed by an RA stating 'monitor vertical speed.' The Captain disconnected the autopilot and hand flew the RA guidance. I advised ATC we are responding to a RA. We were just above a scattered cloud layer and unable to visually see the traffic; so we climb up to 6;300 feet. We eventually saw the traffic and cleared over him by 800 feet. After clearing the traffic we descended back down to 6;000 feet. The rest of the flight was uneventful. The Captain and I were both confused why ATC would turn us into VFR traffic only 500 feet below us. I thought IFR separation required 1;000 feet. Captain authority was used to comply with the RA; but no emergency was declared.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.