Small Aircraft
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 45; Flight Crew Total 320; Flight Crew Type 167
Communication Breakdown
Conflict NMAC; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Aircraft; Human Factors
Aircraft X was flying at 7;000 feet on an IFR flight plan while in contact with ZZZ Approach; had a near miss with Aircraft Y. The aircraft was less than 500 feet away when a deviation from ATC instructions was initiated and a dive down by Aircraft X to 6;000 feet was performed in VMC to avoid a conflict. After the dive and Aircraft Y was no longer a factor ATC advised Aircraft X of a traffic alert after it had occurred. Approach was on [frequency]; the Controller was possibly distracted and did not give traffic prior to it becoming a close call.
GA pilot reported an near miss while on an IFR flight; and that ATC issued a traffic alert after the fact.