Beech 1900
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure; Human Factors
We were cleared to descend from 16;000 to be at 11;000 by EAGUL Intersection. ATC advised us as we made our turn on to the 034 radial of PXR (about 81 DME from PXR); that we had traffic at our 2 o'clock. As we descended; the First Officer saw a Beechcraft Baron at 2 o'clock; about 20 FT below us. She pulled back on the yoke to avoid a collision and the Baron continued right to left. I did not see the traffic until the Baron was past the left wingtip. Afterwards; following a frequency change; we notified ATC that the Baron traffic was very close to us and the Baron came on frequency and agreed. The Controller stated that he did not know what we were talking about as he just sat down and the previous Controller did not notify him of any traffic issues. Our ability to promptly locate the traffic was hindered due to our TCAS being MELed inoperative.
While in their descent a Beech 1900 flight crew suffered an NMAC with a VFR Beech Baron.