M-20 J (201) / Allegro
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 15; Flight Crew Total 7130; Flight Crew Type 2118
Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Procedure; Human Factors
Enroute direct at 3;000 NHK Approach called traffic at our 12 o'clock 7 miles opposite direction; type unknown at 2;900 FT; then 5 miles 12 o'clock at 2;900 FT; then 3 miles 12 o'clock at 2;900 FT. We had reported negative contact each time and requested vectors to avoid traffic. No vector or further instruction was given by ATC and pilot flying began a climb when traffic was called 12 O'clock opposite direction; 1 mile; 2;900 FT. We observed traffic pass immediately below us and just left about 100 FT below. Calling traffic in sight; NHK handed off to Dover Approach and we reported in. Dover questioned our altitude which was now about 3;400 feet and we reported descending to 3;000 feet. Dover immediately cleared us to 2;000 FT and we descended and landed without incident. With only 100 foot separation under IFR; I feel we had no choice except to climb until traffic was in sight.
An IFR M20 instructor at 3;000 FT in VMC; experiences a NMAC with opposite direction traffic which had been reported by ATC at 2;900 FT. ATC offers no altitude or heading change to avoid and with the traffic at 12 O'clock and one mile and not in sight; a climb is initiated.