EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
Talking to TRACON; we were told we would be vectored to cross over mid field to enter a left downwind for the active Runway 1. As we crossed mid field; ATC said there was a change of plans and due to the calm winds on the field and the thunderstorms in the vicinity; and that we would be doing the other arrival to Runway 19. He gave us a 030 heading and a decent from 6;000 to 3;000. At this point he gave us 090 heading and asked if we had the river and airport in sight. We did so he cleared us for the new arrival. I inquired about switching to Tower frequency; he then switched us to Tower. When contacting Tower they were quite surprised that we were checking in for the new arrival to Runway 19. The Controller immediately instructed us to turn to a 180 heading to avoid the traffic coming right at us that had just departed Runway 1. After being vectored around we eventually landed safely on Runway 19. After landing we talked ATC and they informed us that there was a breakdown in communication between the TRACON and the Tower controllers. They apparently did not coordinate with each other which lead to the incident.
With weather building in the area; we were told to over fly the airport and to expect a left downwind for Runway 1. With storms building over the final approach course; TRACON then instructed us to expect a Visual Approach to Runway 19. He then turned us on a 030 heading and then asked us if we had the airport and river in sight. We acknowledged that we did and then we were cleared for the Visual Approach for Runway 19. Leaving 2;000 FT; I was the pilot flying and started my descent for Runway 19 when the Captain checked in with Tower. We were greeted with a 'who?' the Captain then stated our position and intention; and that we were with the Tower for the Visual Approach for Runway 19. At this point Tower responded by pointing out traffic at 12 o'clock opposite direction departing Runway 1 was an E145. I turned the airplane to a due south heading as it was being instructed by ATC. We never did receive a TA/RA but was told later that we were as close as 200 FT. Vertical separation and 1 mile separation. After a round of headings and vectors; we safely landed. We later learned of the breakdown in communication between Local and Approach.
Air Carrier arrival was cleared for a Visual Approach to Runway 19 only to discover opposite direction traffic departing Runway 1 when transferred to the Tower; a significant communication error between the Tower/TRACON was listed as the causal factor.