MD80 captain at 2;800 feet approaching destination is advised by ATC of traffic at 10 O'clock and 50...

Narrative:

On approach to airport ZZZ the approach controller called out a traffic target at our 10 O' clock position about 500 feet below us. We did not see the traffic immediately; but had them on TCAS. The controller issued a left turn vector toward the traffic and indicated that the aircraft had turned away from us. I spotted the traffic visually and it appeared to be a single engine aircraft doing turns around a point in the VFR/general aviation practice area clear of the class D for ZZZ. As it continued its turn and began to fly towards us again; we got a 'monitor vertical speed' aural warning. The traffic then appeared to start climbing and we received an 'adjust vertical speed' command. The first officer disconnected the autopilot and promptly responded to the climb command. We were clear of conflict within seconds and reported the RA to ATC as well as asked for a near midair collision report to be filed. After landing I was given a phone number to the [approach control] supervisor. I explained to him what happened; which also mirrored what his controller had reported to him. He said he would file a near midair collision report.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: MD80 Captain at 2;800 feet approaching destination is advised by ATC of traffic at 10 O'clock and 500 feet below; then is issued a vector toward the traffic. The traffic starts to climb resulting in a TCAS TA then an RA. The Captain asks ATC to file an NMAC report.

Narrative: On approach to Airport ZZZ the approach controller called out a traffic target at our 10 O' Clock position about 500 feet below us. We did not see the traffic immediately; but had them on TCAS. The controller issued a left turn vector toward the traffic and indicated that the aircraft had turned away from us. I spotted the traffic visually and it appeared to be a single engine aircraft doing turns around a point in the VFR/General Aviation practice area clear of the Class D for ZZZ. As it continued its turn and began to fly towards us again; we got a 'monitor vertical speed' aural warning. The traffic then appeared to start climbing and we received an 'adjust vertical speed' command. The FO disconnected the autopilot and promptly responded to the CLIMB command. We were clear of conflict within seconds and reported the RA to ATC as well as asked for a NMAC report to be filed. After landing I was given a phone number to the [approach control] supervisor. I explained to him what happened; which also mirrored what his controller had reported to him. He said he would file a NMAC report.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.

Attributes
ACN	1247904
Time
Date	201503
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	MD-80 Series (DC-9-80) Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Final Approach Initial Approach
Route In Use	Vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Conflict NMAC Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude Deviation - Procedural Clearance
Miss Distance	Vertical 50

MD80 captain at 2;800 feet approaching destination is advised by ATC of traffic at 10 O'clock and 500 feet below; then is issued a vector toward the traffic. The traffic starts to climb resulting in a TCAS TA then an RA. The captain asks ATC to file an near midair collision report.