A320
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure; Environment - Non Weather Related; Airspace Structure
The event at question occurred during descent to EWR on the PHLBO 3 RNAV Arrival. During descent ATC instructed to descend and maintain 6;000 feet from 8;000 feet. Since we were relatively far out (roughly over 'DYLIN'); I engaged Vertical Speed 1;000 FPM down. Crossing around 7;000 feet ATC advised us of traffic; a small aircraft leveled at 6;000 around one o'clock westbound; roughly 10 miles out. We started looking for the traffic; which I obtained around 6;300 feet around 12-11 o'clock position. The traffic at question also replied he had us insight before I had him. Upon getting ALT* roughly prior to 'METRO' we got the TCAS RA DESCEND command. Upon execution of the procedure per SOP we descended around 300 feet (5;700 feet); and advised ATC. Around 1-2 miles past our course we turned back to join the arrival and ATC gave us a heading to final.
ATC gave decent to 6;000 feet on arrival. Called out a small aircraft at 6;500 about 10 miles at 12 o'clock. Saw on TCAS but not visually until closer. Baron acknowledged seeing us and would avoid. Pilot Flying acquired visual just before getting the TCAS RA and following a descend RA. Went 5;700 feet then called ATC about the event and climbed back to 6;000 feet and requested a heading.
A320 flight crew reported complying with a conflict RA during descent to EWR on the PHLBO 3 RNAV Arrival.