Close proximity commuter small transport GA-small transport both in air hold over ptw VOR.

Attributes
ACN	146650
Time
Date	199005
Day	Wed
Local Time Of Day	1801 To 2400
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : ptw
State Reference	PA
Altitude	msl bound lower : 4000 msl bound upper : 4000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Dusk
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : phl
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	Small Transport, Low Wing, 2 Turboprop Eng
Flight Phase	cruise other
Route In Use	enroute : on vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Small Transport, Low Wing, 2 Recip Eng
Flight Phase	other
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : first officer
Qualification	pilot : instrument pilot : commercial pilot : cfi
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 210 flight time total : 1293 flight time type : 405
ASRS Report	146650
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : atp
Events
Anomaly	conflict : nmac
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	flight crew : took evasive action
Consequence	faa : reviewed incident with flight crew
Miss Distance	horizontal : 100 vertical : 300
Supplementary
Primary Problem	ATC Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Operational Error

Narrative:

Our flight was given a vector to 130 degree to avoid traffic holding over a VOR at 4000' MSL. We were in cruise flight at 4000' MSL as well. We turned, and acknowledged the vectors and reported 'left to 130 degree; looking'. Shortly thereafter, to avoid a twin reciprocating, we dove 400' and turned 40 degree left. We spoke to the controller to report our deviation and the reason why. He acknowledged. I have to believe his targets merged on radar. Solution: increased vigilance and a better controller.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: CLOSE PROX COMMUTER SMT GA-SMT BOTH IN AIR HOLD OVER PTW VOR.

Narrative: OUR FLT WAS GIVEN A VECTOR TO 130 DEG TO AVOID TFC HOLDING OVER A VOR AT 4000' MSL. WE WERE IN CRUISE FLT AT 4000' MSL AS WELL. WE TURNED, AND ACKNOWLEDGED THE VECTORS AND RPTED 'L TO 130 DEG; LOOKING'. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, TO AVOID A TWIN RECIPROCATING, WE DOVE 400' AND TURNED 40 DEG L. WE SPOKE TO THE CTLR TO RPT OUR DEV AND THE REASON WHY. HE ACKNOWLEDGED. I HAVE TO BELIEVE HIS TARGETS MERGED ON RADAR. SOLUTION: INCREASED VIGILANCE AND A BETTER CTLR.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.