Medium Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Total 8250; Flight Crew Type 1150
Workload; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Distraction; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict NMAC
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure; Environment - Non Weather Related
It was VFR and we were on the VALRE 4 arrival between VALRE and BAYSE; descending through 8;000 FT for 6;000 FT; when ATC urgently commanded us; 'Take a 30 degree left turn for traffic.' I immediately replied to the request; when ATC urgently replied; 'Stop descent and hold altitude.' We had already descended below 8;000 FT; and I replied; 'Holding 7;500 FT'; as I hit the altitude hold button and dialed 7;500 FT. Neither one of us recalls any TCAS indication of traffic; and as soon as ATC tried to call out traffic we got a double RA. The first command was to 'DESCEND' followed by a reversal to 'CLIMB; CLIMB.' As the First Officer immediately disengaged the autopilot and followed the commands; I caught a reflection off the C-172 and told the First Officer; 'I have the traffic keep climbing. Keep climbing!' As it went under us; I announce to ATC; 'RA CLIMB;' in which ATC responded; 'Traffic crossing at 7;300 FT.' We cleared the C-172 by only 200 FT; which was WAY too close! After clearing the conflict; we were re-cleared down to 6;000 FT and back direct to BAYSE. A few moments later; ATC turned us over to the next Controller and thanked us for the help. I replied; 'No problem; but that was too close for comfort!'
A Corporate aircraft descending on the VALRE Arrival to HPN took evasive action to a TCAS RA during a near miss at about 7;500 FT.