A319 inbound to ewr experiences TCASII RA with ATC issued, but unidented, traffic at 7000 ft.

Attributes
ACN	600748
Time
Date	200311
Day	Sun
Local Time Of Day	1801 To 2400
Place
Locale Reference	navaid : bwz.vor
State Reference	NJ
Altitude	msl bound lower : 7000 msl bound upper : 7400
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : n90.tracon tower : ord.tower
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	A319
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	descent : intermediate altitude descent : approach
Route In Use	arrival : on vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Controlling Facilities	tracon : n90.tracon
Make Model Name	PA-28 Cherokee/Archer II/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Phase	cruise : level
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : first officer
Qualification	pilot : flight engineer pilot : instrument pilot : multi engine pilot : atp
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 200 flight time total : 13000 flight time type : 4000
ASRS Report	600748
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : atp pilot : flight engineer
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 230 flight time total : 28000 flight time type : 3700
ASRS Report	600749
Events
Anomaly	conflict : airborne less severe
Independent Detector	aircraft equipment : tcas other controllera other flight crewa other flight crewb
Resolutory Action	flight crew : took evasive action
Miss Distance	horizontal : 1500 vertical : 600
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Flight Crew Human Performance
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance

Narrative:

We were being radar vectored at 7000 ft MSL. The controller issued a TA 'traffic 12 O'clock, type and altitude unknown.' we received a TA from TCASII at the same time. We began to look for the traffic. About 5-10 seconds later we received an RA 'climb, climb now.' the PF disconnected the autoplt, cleared the airspace above and began a climb. The PNF cleared the airspace above and notified ATC of our actions. During the climb, we made visual contact with the intruding aircraft at 7400 ft MSL. We received a 'clear of conflict' and began our return to 7000 ft MSL.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A319 INBOUND TO EWR EXPERIENCES TCASII RA WITH ATC ISSUED, BUT UNIDENTED, TFC AT 7000 FT.

Narrative: WE WERE BEING RADAR VECTORED AT 7000 FT MSL. THE CTLR ISSUED A TA 'TFC 12 O'CLOCK, TYPE AND ALT UNKNOWN.' WE RECEIVED A TA FROM TCASII AT THE SAME TIME. WE BEGAN TO LOOK FOR THE TFC. ABOUT 5-10 SECONDS LATER WE RECEIVED AN RA 'CLB, CLB NOW.' THE PF DISCONNECTED THE AUTOPLT, CLRED THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND BEGAN A CLB. THE PNF CLRED THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND NOTIFIED ATC OF OUR ACTIONS. DURING THE CLB, WE MADE VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE INTRUDING ACFT AT 7400 FT MSL. WE RECEIVED A 'CLR OF CONFLICT' AND BEGAN OUR RETURN TO 7000 FT MSL.

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.