Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 40; Flight Crew Total 2700; Flight Crew Type 250
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Aircraft; Procedure
The nearmiss event occurred shortly after departing Runway 36L at New Orleans Lakefront (NEW) at an altitude of approximately 15;00 FT MSL; in a Cessna 525B (CJ3). The weather was VMC conditions with unlimited ceilings and flight visibility. The target aircraft was never visually identified in-flight from the cockpit. I was cleared for a 'no delay' takeoff on Runway 36L and instructed to climb on runway heading to 2;000 FT. I promptly flew the clearance as instructed until; at approximately 1;500 FT MSL; I received a TCAS II prompted Resolution Advisory (RA) to 'Climb; Climb' immediately followed by a 'Maintain Vertical Speed' of approximately 4;000 FPM. At 2;200 FT MSL; I received a 'clear of conflict' announcement and quickly descended back down to my assigned altitude of 2;000 FT MSL. Almost simultaneously to the initial RA; I was told to contact New Orleans Approach. As soon as I was able to clear the conflict; I was able to contact and notified New Orleans Approach of the Resolution Advisory and informed them that I was leveling off at 2;000 FT MSL. According to the indications of the TCAS; which is overlaid on the PFD; estimated horizontal distance was incalculable or undeterminable and the estimated vertical distance was at or within 400 FT separation of the target aircraft. It is my belief that the target aircraft was cruising or maneuvering at 1;500 MSL off the departure end of 36L. I was cleared for a 'no delay' departure for reasons I am not sure of. After reflecting on the event; I feel confident that I flew the clearance as instructed with no deviations until the RA was received. I then promptly notified ATC of the RA while simultaneously returning to my cleared altitude once the conflict was cleared. Overall; I am not sure what I could have done differently to completely avoid the conflict.
Corporate departure from Runway 36L at NEW experienced a near miss from an unobserved and unreported target shortly after takeoff resulting in a climb above assigned altitude.