PA-32 Cherokee Six/Lance/Saratoga/6X
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20; Flight Crew Total 2400; Flight Crew Type 300
Other / Unknown
Conflict NMAC
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Human Factors; Procedure
I was safety pilot; right seat; the pilot was hooded; [and] we were VFR below the ceiling. We were cleared for the ILS 20L approach to PDK and were established on the localizer at AABEE. The pilot had started descending from 4;000 feet. ATC ordered an immediate 500 FPM climb for traffic at 12 o'clock. I took the controls; pitched up and advanced the throttle. The pilot removed his hood and we both began scanning for the traffic; which was made difficult because of the pitch attitude. I reported the traffic was not in sight and moments later saw movement to my right. The other aircraft passed about 300 feet below us; 90 degrees to our course. I reported the traffic was no longer a factor. I turned the aircraft over to the pilot; he replaced his hood and continued the descent. ATC turned us over to the Tower. The traffic call was incorrect; we expected the traffic conflict to be directly from the front. The approaching aircraft was probably about 2 o'clock when ATC called. This seems like a small difference but the 12 o'clock call focused my attention in the wrong direction. The resulting tunnel vision caused me to miss the traffic until it was very close.
PA32 instructor; acting as safety pilot for the flying pilot under the hood; reports a NMAC near AABEE on the ILS to Runway 21L at PDK. The Controller had called the traffic moments before (in the wrong relative position) and issued a climb which likely prevented a midair collision.