Falcon 2000
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Engineer; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 83; Flight Crew Total 12609; Flight Crew Type 1093
Communication Breakdown
Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory
Airspace Structure; Procedure
While being vectored to the ILS 19 final approach course in VMC at an assigned altitude of 2000 feet; NY TRACON issued the following clearance: 'Turn right heading 165; Maintain 2000 feet until established; cleared ILS 19.' We acknowledged the clearance; when ATC called out traffic at 2 o'clock; 2 miles; altitude indicates 1900 feet. We then experienced a TCAS Traffic Alert. As we were in the right turn; I asked the controller if he still wished us to turn to heading 165. He instructed us to maintain present heading; and then paused as if uncertain as to what instruction to issue. We experienced a TCAS 'CLIMB' RA; with which we complied. We announced 'TCAS Climb;' and reached a maximum altitude of 2400 feet. After watching the traffic cross below us; TCAS issued a 'Clear of Conflict;' and we returned to our assigned altitude of 2000.' The controller asked us if we had Teterboro in sight; which we did; and he cleared us for a Visual Approach to 19. We landed uneventfully. After landing; I contacted NY TRACON in an effort to learn about the traffic and how we were able to pass within such close proximity. The supervisor informed me that this was a known issue; as the floor of the Class B Airspace from just south of TUGGZ to north of UNVIL and extending well west of CDW is 3000 feet. The floor of the Class B Airspace does not drop to 1800 feet until south of TUGGZ; and the northern boundary of TEB's Class D Airspace is also just south of TUGGZ. As a result; traffic departing MMU or CDW can legally fly VFR at 2000 feet between UNVIL and TUGGZ; crossing the TEB ILS 19 final approach course; without any requirement to contact NY TRACON. This can and does lead to TCAS RA's. Pilots will want to be aware of this geometry and remain vigilant when landing south in Teterboro.
Falcon 2000 Captain experiences a TCAS RA at 2;000 feet during vectors to the ILS 19 at TEB. The RA is complied with and the intruder passes below at 1;900 feet. N90 had issued a turn to intercept the ILS; which was also a turn into the traffic and was pointed out. Class B airspace above compresses VFR traffic into the approach path for TEB.