Caravan Undifferentiated
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 45; Flight Crew Total 3410; Flight Crew Type 50
Distraction; Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
While passing through 4500 feet to the final altitude of 6500 feet; due south of the ZZZ airport; the pilot put the aircraft on auto pilot and was climbing in the heading mode. ATC called us to point out Aircraft Y traffic at 5000 feet eastbound heading toward us. The pilot in command became distracted while viewing his cell phone and inadvertently allowed the aircraft to turn across the oncoming [aircraft's] flight path. ATC called us a second time and the PIC was asked if he had the traffic in sight. Our aircraft continued to climb through 5000 feet and across the flight path of the eastbound Aircraft Y. The TCAS alerted us to traffic approaching from the left side and to dive. No evasion action was taken by the pilot in command. The traffic alert system showed [Aircraft Y] passing above and behind us at 300 feet. The eastbound Aircraft Y called ATC to advise them seeing us and we continued our climb to 6500 feet.The recommended corrective action is to not to be distracted by the use of personal cell phones and keep a sterile cockpit below 10;000.
C208 pilot reported an NMAC on climb out while receiving radar services.