B737-700
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 209
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure
While on the departure from BUR; we were given a clearance to level off at 6;000 feet due to traffic. After level off at 6;000 feet; ATC gave us a vector to a heading of 290 to avoid traffic now approaching our 12 o'clock position. As we began our turn; the TCAS system initiated a Resolution Advisory and provided descent guidance. I disconnected the autopilot and autothrottle and complied with the TCAS guidance. I initiated a descent to avoid the intruder aircraft and we notified ATC of our TCAS RA event. At an altitude of 5;700 feet; I received the 'Clear of Conflict' alert from the TCAS system. We noticed while level at 5;700 feet; the TCAS system was showing the intruder aircraft 400 feet above our aircraft. When clear of all traffic ATC provided clearance to climb and instructed us to proceed back on our filed flight plan. The remainder of the flight was uneventful.I think this event could have been avoided with better separation from the other aircraft. I am unsure if the intruder aircraft was at the proper altitude it was cleared to; or if this event was caused by lack of ATC separation.
As we reached 5;700 feet; our TCAS showed traffic 400 feet above us; and visual contact was made with the aircraft directly above us; passing overhead. I [estimate] the aircraft was also at (or very close to) 6;000 feet MSL (our clearance altitude). I informed ATC that we were descending in response to a TCAS RA and that traffic was directly above and in front of us. ATC responded that traffic was at 6;500 feet. The Captain and I agreed (as well as our TCAS information) that the aircraft was much closer than 6;500 feet and must have descended below his cleared altitude to our altitude of 6;000 feet.
B737 flight crew reported an NMAC with another aircraft during departure from BUR.