Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure
On descent into PAFA talking to FAI approach noticed TCAS traffic in a climb at our 11 o'clock moving to 12 o'clock position approximately 3-5 miles away. We were IMC; in the descent to 7000 ft. No traffic call of any sorts from Approach Control about the traffic. As the traffic closed in on us; I disconnected the autopilot and initiated a climb to avoid the traffic. About the same time; we received a TA followed immediately by a RA. Still no call from Approach Control. My FO (First Officer) called Approach Control to advise of our traffic conflict and that we were climbing to avoid. Multiple alarms were heard in the background of the Approach Controller's transmission when [the Controller] called back to command a climb clearance to us. We passed above the traffic by approximately 400 ft. We then cleared the traffic and descended back to 7000 ft. and landed uneventfully.
Air Carrier Captain reported an NMAC in IMC inbound to FAI.