Medium Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness; Distraction; Confusion; Time Pressure
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure; Airport; Human Factors
We were descending via the DRLLR5 arrival into IAH; RWY 26R transition. The aircraft was already established on the downwind approximately 6 miles west of SKLER and descending through 7;300 feet. Approach (124.35) had switched us over to final approach frequency 119.1. I checked in and immediately the controller told us to turn heading 360 IMMEDIATELY and climb to 8000 feet; there was traffic south of us heading right at us and climbing. The First Officer disconnected the autopilot and turned right away to 360 and began climbing as instructed to 8000. We ended up leveling off prior to 8000 because the aircraft was climbing much faster and ended up going over the top of us. I advised Approach that we stopped our climb and could see the traffic on our TCAS climbing above us. After getting the aircraft on the ground we queried IAH tower if we could get more information on what just unfolded. They gave us the IAH TRACON number and we called to get the details of the event. An aircraft departing to the North was given a climb to 16;000 feet right into our flight path. The aircraft came within less than 2 miles and 200 feet. Thank God it wasn't our time to go.
Air Carrier Captain reported being given an emergency turn and climb to avoid traffic the TRACON vectored north after takeoff into the arrival path.