Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 115; Flight Crew Type 2150
Time Pressure; Situational Awareness; Workload; Communication Breakdown; Distraction
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Human Factors; Procedure
The departure from EWR was normal. We initially followed the Newark 2 Departure as instructed via our PDC. Prior to reaching 4 DME IEZA as depicted on the SID; ATC instructed us to turn to a heading of 270 degrees and climb and maintain 4;000 feet. The non-flying pilot acknowledged the ATC instructions and we proceeded to climb and turn. ATC further advised us to climb to 5;000 feet and informed us that there was traffic at our 11 o'clock. The non-flying pilot acknowledge the traffic alert and we pointed out a white traffic symbol on the PFD Map Display. As I turned to the assigned heading; I looked out the L2 window and spotted the Cessna Aircraft about 300 feet below our aircraft. We then received an aural and visual Resolution Advisory 'Monitor Vertical Speed.' The red commands from below the horizon on the attitude display advised us to maintain our altitude at 5;000 feet and not descend. I reduced my bank angle; and ATC re-stated; 'Turn to a heading of 270 degrees.' We informed ATC that we were responding to a RA for the Traffic Conflict. Following the aural warning; 'Clear of Conflict;' we resumed our turn to 270 degrees and informed ATC of our turn.
The reporter confirmed that their aircraft and the conflicting traffic was in fact in Class B. Neither pilot was aware of ATC talking with the other aircraft or acknowledging ATC was actively aware of its altitude. The crew was shocked at how close they were before fully realizing the TCAS traffic was becoming an issue. The reporter flies this departure frequently and remembered more ATC vectors on that particular departure; but not in reference to the traffic.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
Air carrier flight crew reported experiencing a RA at 5000 feet near EWR while being vectored by ATC.