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A330 captain reports TCAS TA then RA during descent for approach. A previous false alert and the current target's rapid movement suggest a malfunction. No traffic is reported by ATC. The RA is complied with regardless by decreasing descent rate. A 'clear of conflict' is annunciated and flight continues to landing.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 959189 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201107 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.TRACON |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | A330 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Descent |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Captain Pilot Not Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude |
Narrative:
We had an erroneous TCAS ECAM earlier in cruise flight (over greenland) on ETOPS flight. Descending on approach at 6;000; we got a TCAS TA for traffic below at -400 ft; but then noticed the target in question 'jumping around' between 2 o'clock 5 miles to 10 miles; and back 'under' us again and again. ATC reported no traffic around our location. Then we got an RA; first officer disconnected autopilot; climbed to get descent rate out of the 'red' zone per procedure. We then got 'clear of conflict' and proceeded on to land. All three of us thought that this RA was an erroneous alert; given the earlier event in cruise and the jumping around of the target on the TA and RA event. In any case; SOP's were followed; landed normally; we wrote up the TCAS on arrival.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: A330 Captain reports TCAS TA then RA during descent for approach. A previous false alert and the current target's rapid movement suggest a malfunction. No traffic is reported by ATC. The RA is complied with regardless by decreasing descent rate. A 'clear of conflict' is annunciated and flight continues to landing.
Narrative: We had an erroneous TCAS ECAM earlier in cruise flight (over Greenland) on ETOPS flight. Descending on approach at 6;000; we got a TCAS TA for traffic below at -400 FT; but then noticed the target in question 'jumping around' between 2 o'clock 5 miles to 10 miles; and back 'under' us again and again. ATC reported no traffic around our location. Then we got an RA; First Officer disconnected autopilot; climbed to get descent rate out of the 'red' zone per procedure. We then got 'clear of conflict' and proceeded on to land. All three of us thought that this RA was an erroneous alert; given the earlier event in cruise and the jumping around of the target on the TA and RA event. In any case; SOP's were followed; landed normally; we wrote up the TCAS on arrival.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.