A flight crew departing MHLM/SAP had to take evasive action for traffic crossing the Runway 22 final. ATC gave no departure instructions nor traffic alert.
Synopsis
A flight crew departing MHLM/SAP had to take evasive action for traffic crossing the Runway 22 final. ATC gave no departure instructions nor traffic alert.
Narrative
I had briefed takeoff on Runway 22 with right turn out to be going in correct direction for single engine procedure should it become necessary. [I] was cleared for takeoff by Tower with no direction given for turn but clearance was for direct GABIX Intersection. Upon rotation First Officer told me to turn left due to traffic to our right. TCAS showed traffic 500 FT above within 2.5 miles at 1 o'clock and I would have turned directly into the traffic had the First Officer not redirected me left. Perhaps the TCAS would have saved us but I believe that it may well have been impossible to maneuver sufficiently at that early stage of flight to avoid collision. Tower never mentioned the traffic; which I believe to have been on a right downwind for Runway 22. There is no procedure for departing Runway 22 and it seemed to me prudent to make turn out in direction of southeast procedures. I questioned Tower about the traffic to the right after well clear and they replied that we were not in conflict with a left turn. Then I pointed out that we had not been directed to turn left after takeoff and then said that I would submit a report.
Second reporter narrative
[We were] cleared direct from MHLM Airport direct to GABIX Intersection. No departure procedure specified. Captain (pilot flying) briefed Runway 22 takeoff and departure to include a right turnout on course to stay on low terrain side of airport. During takeoff roll; I (pilot not flying) noted a TCAS target approximately five miles to right of extended centerline of Runway 22 at approximately 500 FT. Although Captain had briefed a right turn on departure (which would have been into this traffic) I elected to not say anything until airborne. Right after rotation; still no visual on traffic but good TCAS symbol; I noted this aircraft at right 2 o'clock position at around two miles; still at 500 FT AFL (+200 FT TCAS). [I] pointed traffic out to the Captain who began left turn to open distance. I finally saw the traffic as we passed co-altitude at our two to three o'clock around one mile or less. We never got a TCAS alert. Had the Captain and I not noted this traffic (TCAS inoperative; etc.) he would have turned right and there would have been a definite collision potential. Asked Tower why they did not point out this possibly conflicting traffic to us and they did not seem to think there was a problem since they said they expected us to turn left on takeoff. There is nothing in the airport pages about which direction to turn for a northbound course after a Runway 22 departure.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.