A319
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure
During initial contact SoCal cleared us direct to VYDDA for a LOC 27 approach in VMC conditions. At 6;000 FT ATC reported traffic above us and gave us 5;000 FT at the same time the traffic appeared on our TCAS. We then received a TCAS RA to descend followed by a climb RA. We notified ATC and cleared the conflict. We landed with no further incident. After the conflict ATC apologized and informed us the traffic had been instructed to maintain an altitude above us.
SoCal approach cleared us...to descend from 6;000 to 5;000 and to expedite descent for traffic at 12 o'clock descending to 500 FT above our altitude....when we visually acquired the traffic that was descending and it appeared to be a Cessna. TCAS reported the traffic at 200 FT above our altitude and descending and was soon followed by an RA to descend. As I watched the aircraft descend through our altitude in what appeared to be a diving or spin maneuver; the RA changed to a climb command. While complying with the RA; the pilot flying turned left approximately 20 degrees to avoid the aircraft descending through our altitude....ATC also reported that it was a common sky diving aircraft.
An A319 flight in descent with SOCAL Approach responded to a TCAS RA generated by another aircraft who failed to comply with its clearance to maintain a higher altitude.