Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Aircraft; Procedure
Flying on the KORRY 3 arrival at 5000 ft; we were advised that there was a helicopter that was circling over the Statue of Liberty and to stay at 5000 ft which we did. We saw the target on the TCAS and it was showing 3-4 miles at 2 o'clock when the target disappeared from the TCAS. We did not have the helicopter in visual contact. Approximately 3-5 seconds later; the target again appeared on TCAS showing 400 ft below at which time we received an RA-Monitor Vertical Speed. My FO disconnected the AP and started a climb to 5400 ft to give us a safe clearance as we did not have the traffic in sight and wanted to put ALT between him and us. I advised ATC that we were climbing for an RA. After passing the helicopter as verified by TCAS since we never had it in sight; we resumed normal operations and descended to 5000 ft.This was the second RA-Monitor Vertical Speed that we received on this day; on the KORRY 3 arrival and within 10 miles of each other; on the same aircraft. Both events had the target drop from the TCAS system and then reappear at -400 below causing us to climb. Both events had an ATC advisory of the traffic at 500 ft below our assigned ALT. ATC should give 1000 ft clearances instead of 500 ft preventing the TCAS system from being right on the edge of the RA parameters.
CRJ-200 First Officer on the KORRY3 Arrival was advised by ATC of a helicopter orbiting the Statue of Liberty at 4;500 feet and to maintain 5;000 feet. The TCAS shows -400 feet for the target and commanded 'monitor vertical speed.' The crew elected to climb.