B767-300 and 300 ER
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
On final at 3;000 feet MSL we were given a heading off the approach to 180 degrees. While on this heading we heard ATC instruct [another Company aircraft] to make an immediate heading change. Looking at my TCAS I saw an incoming aircraft at the same altitude rapidly closing on our aircraft at the 11:00 o'clock position. I looked to my left and saw the aircraft coming at us at a close range. We also got a TA at the same time. I disconnected the autopilot and made a hard right turn to avoid it while simultaneously ATC instructed us to make an immediate right turn to 270 to avoid it. Afterward we were vectored back onto the approach and made an uneventful landing.There seemed to be some communication problem with ATC and the other aircraft involved.
After the flight I called the TRACON supervisor to ask; from his perspective; what he saw. He said the controller transposed flight numbers when vectoring traffic other than us. Our aircraft was put in a situation where immediate attention and action was necessary to avoid a potentially worse outcome. Honestly; I believe we did everything right.
B767 flight crew reported an airborne conflict on approach when the Controller issued a clearance to an aircraft with a similar call sign.