Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 245; Flight Crew Total 16000; Flight Crew Type 3100
Confusion; Distraction; Time Pressure
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airport
Maneuvering for landing for visual approach at DEN just outside of the FAP got a pop up TCAS Climb command. Threat aircraft showed 100 feet below us basically superimposed on our position. There were no previous traffic alerts. We went from maneuvering for a normal approach and landing to a 'Climb Climb' command. The green fly to arc was very small and at the top of the VVI and was commanding 3;200 feet per min. We executed the escape maneuver and went around. We informed the Tower that we were executing a TCAS climb. ATC said they were unaware of any aircraft in our vicinity however the Purser informed us after landing that he saw an aircraft out the window. Subsequent vectors for the next approach were uneventful.
The reporter stated that although ATC did not report traffic; a Flight Attendant confirmed it. Because the commanded maneuver was so extreme the crew was distracted about the aircraft's control and neither pilot remembered hearing clear of conflict. The 3;200 feet climb command was the most the reporter has ever seen and questioned the accuracy.
An air carrier Captain reported a pop up TCAS RA on a 5 NM final to DEN Runway 16 at about 2;000 feet and executed the escape maneuver and go-around. ATC reported no traffic at that location.