Air carrier flight crew departing FWA reported an NMAC with a light aircraft that apparently was not equipped with ADS-B.

2025-01 · NASA ASRS report 2201432

Date: 2025-01 · Aircraft: Commercial Fixed Wing · Phase: climb

Anomalies: atc-issue-all-types|conflict-nmac

Synopsis

Air carrier flight crew departing FWA reported an NMAC with a light aircraft that apparently was not equipped with ADS-B.

Narrative

In our climb from 5;500' to 10;000. ATC gave a traffic alert to our 1 o'clock of VFR traffic at 6;500'. As we scanned for the traffic; we got the traffic in sight crossing from right to left and we were climbing into their flight path. I took action by leveling off the airplane and stopping the climb until the traffic was clear. Once the traffic was clear; I continued the climb and returned to our climb profile. The TCAS system did not show or give an RA or TA of the intruding VFR traffic. I believe the VFR traffic did not have reporting equipment for our system to detect.Cause: The event was caused because the weather was VFR and our equipment could not pick up the traffic and the ATC traffic alert was delayed; reducing our situational awareness on the VFR traffic.Suggestions: I believe maintaining the VFR scan outside of the cockpit while under 10;000' for VFR traffic would help avoid an this event from happening again. Additionally; I think all aircraft should have ADSB-out at the minimum.

Second reporter narrative

During our climb out from FWA as we passed through about 5800 ft; we received a traffic call from ATC for VFR 12 o'clock at 6500 ft to which we responded looking. We had no indication on our TCAS and were VMC so we were visually scanning for the traffic. Moments later the PF spotted the traffic and lowered the pitch to avoid getting any closer than we already were. Rough guess since we never did get a TA/RA from TCAS we were within 300 ft vertically and less than 500 ft horizontal distance as we could see the shape of the white N on the tail of Aircraft Y. After passing behind and below the traffic the pilot flying resumed climbing to the assigned altitude.Cause: In my opinion we received a late call from ATC; an earlier alert would have allowed us to adjust course to pass safely away from the aircraft. Not sure if the other aircraft was equipped with ADSB equipment but we never received any information on our display even though our TCAS was functioning properly.Suggestions: Ensure timely calls from ATC for traffic and constantly scan for traffic visually.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.

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