B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 204; Flight Crew Total 2290; Flight Crew Type 2290
Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Human Factors
Level 6;000 feet with approach control. ATC calls out VFR traffic at 11 O'Clock and less than 10 miles (I don't recall exact range fallout); 500 ft underneath. I reply that we are searching; but internal to cockpit we note the TCAS contact that meets the fallout. PF (Pilot Flying) is flying without any autopilot systems for proficiency; but is stable at 6;000 feet. TCAS TA approx 5 miles and -05 becomes -03 while we are level; suggesting a slight climb by the conflict aircraft. ATC still seeks threat and vectors us 10 degrees to the left. Shortly after the turn we receive a TCAS RA and inform ATC we are climbing in accordance with the RA. Shortly after the maneuver is initiated; we identified what appears to be a twin engine VFR aircraft from left to right on the windscreen but below our altitude and approximately 3-5 miles away. It was unclear if the VFR aircraft maneuvered in response to an RA. We advised ATC that the RA had cleared and returned to our assigned altitude; ATC acknowledged and remainder of flight was without incident.
While on downwind vectors for an approach to Runway 22L at EWR; we were advised of VFR traffic below our altitude. We observed it as a TCAS target that was initially white; then went to yellow. New York Approach assigned us a left turn that seemed to put us more directly in the path of the intruder aircraft. It was observed to be climbing; and then a TCAS RA alert sounded and the recovery maneuver was performed (a climb and level-off at 6;500 feet) The minimum separation observed on the TCAS intruder was 400 feet below our aircraft; and the First Officer visually observed the aircraft passing below us during the avoidance maneuver. New York Approach was advised of the avoidance maneuver; and they cleared us back down to 6;000 feet when we were done with the maneuver. The rest of the approach and landing was completed uneventfully. We also checked with the flight attendants after stabilizing the aircraft to confirm that there was no reaction or damage or injuries in the cabin; and they confirmed everything was fine.
B737 flight crew had a Traffic Alert during approach to land.