Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Conflict Airborne Conflict
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure; Human Factors
We departed TKPK Runway 7 as cleared. We were advised of traffic that would be passing over the airport at 1;500 FT. Approaching approximately 800 AGL; what appeared to be a cabin class; low wing Piper or maybe Cessna passed our flight path-it was definitely a low wing twin. The aircraft did not appear on our TCAS until it was in front of us and reporting 500 FT above us. As pilot flying; I intuitively pushed forward on the yoke lowering the nose and reducing climb rate. Neither the Captain nor I obtained visual on the aircraft until it was in front of us. Can't say for certain lateral distance but I estimate it at less than half a mile. Only warning received was an amber alert on TCAS but not until shortly before we had visual contact. They had come around the east side of mountain that is on the northeast side of Runway 7 and was passing north to south. After they had passed safely by; we resumed normal flight. Tower reported other traffic as a twin otter which seems to raise other issues due to conflict between the type of plane we saw and the type reported by Tower.No takeoff or landing should be allowed when other traffic reported in area. Also since Approach Control and Tower are same person; different frequencies; maybe both frequencies should be monitored when traffic is in the area.
...We were cleared for takeoff and advised we may see traffic left to right passing over the field at 1;500 FT. I acknowledged this report. [I] had no problem with the traffic report since he would be over the field and should not be a factor. I had briefed the First Officer on what to expect after departure since he had not flown to TKPK before. Due to rising terrain just north of the field we don't just go direct to GABAR Intersection. We would fly runway heading to about 1;000 FT or more then turn to a northerly heading till we cleared terrain before on course to GABAR. That puts us about three miles or so offshore and away from small aircraft traffic flying along the shoreline. ...after raising the gear handle to the up position; I did my usual quick scan of rate of climb/airspeed for indications of a normal climb. At approximately 800 FT to my horror I saw traffic at 12 o'clock directly off our nose and above us which we were approaching rapidly. We estimated distance less than a mile ahead at 1;500 FT.
An air carrier jet departing TKPK had a close encounter with a cabin class twin transiting the area.