An air carrier flight crew reported they deviated off the SID below the Minimum Vectoring Altitude to avoid skydivers.
Synopsis
An air carrier flight crew reported they deviated off the SID below the Minimum Vectoring Altitude to avoid skydivers.
Narrative
Captain was flying pilot. Departed XA:21. About XA:24 on the ZZZZZX departure to ZZZZZ1 and on the initial turn to ZZZZZ2 traffic was called by ATC in front of us and identified as a skydive aircraft. ZZZ; airport was ahead and below us 3-4 miles away. Soon after we saw an indication that there was something in front of of the aircraft near our altitude. The First Officer asked for a left deviation as so we could avoid the object. Due to proximity I began an immediate left turn as to avoid the object. We were near 6000'. In the turn the First Officer saw two color A; color B and color C objects at our 12 o'clock moving off the right side. Controller told us unable to deviate as we were below radar coverage of 7000. We were give cleared direct ZZZZZ3 when above 8000'. First office advised ATC we were turning due to parachutes. Once clear of the object we were close to the previous given altitude and proceeded direct to ZZZZZ3. We were in the vicinity of a skydive airport and below a skydive aircraft. We saw an object in front of the aircraft. We turned to avoid the object in the interest of safety. Cause: Departure procedure flies over an active skydive airport. ZZZZZ2 on the ZZZZZX departure is one mile from ZZZ airport. Suggestion: Change the departure to avoid the airport.
Second reporter narrative
Captain pilot flying; First Officer (FO) monitoring. Departed ZZZ1 at XA:21 on ZZZZZX departure. On initial turn to ZZZZZ2; traffic was called out by ATC at 12 o'clock and above us; identified as a skydiving aircraft. ZZZ Airport ahead and 3-4 miles away. Soon after the callout we saw an object in front of us and near our altitude. I asked ATC for left deviation to avoid the object. Due to the proximity of the object the Captain initiated an immediate left turn at approximately 6;000 feet MSL. At that point I identified 2 color A parachutes at our 12 to 1 o'clock; slightly high and range approximately 1 mile. ATC was unable to approve deviation due to us being below his Min vectoring altitude. I advised ATC of our deviation to avoid the jumpers and we were given instructions to rejoin the departure once clear of the conflict. Upon post-flight discussion with ATC; it appears the skydive aircraft did not advise ATC of jumpers out" which led to the encounter.Cause: Causal factor appears to be close proximity of skydive operations to ZZZ1 departure routing and possible lack of communication to ATC by the skydive aircraft advising of the jumpers departure from the aircraft. In this instance; a good visual lookout paired with a timely call from ATC allowed immediate action to avoid a potential collision."
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.