Narrative:

During climb; passing approximately 7;000 ft. Heading 020 as assigned by ATC; I observed a target on the TCAS display at our 11 to 12 o'clock position approaching our position from above and descending. I queried ATC to ask if they still wanted us on the 020 heading. As the controller responded 'affirmative' the TCAS target became a yellow TA; and very quickly became an RA with a 'climb' command; with the green shade of the vsi narrowly at the top of the indicator. The captain began a climb; however shallowed the climb soon after. I called to the captain's attention that the TCAS was commanding a climb; and the captain replied I have the traffic in sight and that it was above us and appearing to climb. I then observed what appeared to be a flight of two single engine propeller airplanes in formation above our position and in a steep climb. It was obvious that complying with the climb command; and placing the vertical speed in the green range would have seriously jeopardized the safety of the flight. The TCAS announced 'clear of conflict' and I notified ATC that we had responded to a TCAS RA. I first detected the event when I observed the target on my TCAS display. It was approaching our position from approx. 12 o'clock; and descending towards our altitude. Realizing there was a potential conflict; I asked ATC if they still wanted us on our current heading (020 deg). As the controller responded 'affirmative'; the target became a yellow TA; and very quickly an RA with a climb command was generated. When the traffic above us passed; I noticed that they appeared to be single engine propeller airplanes; possibly vintage fighter aircraft. I suspect this because of not only their shape; but also because they appeared to me to be moving very fast; and climbing steeply. It is possible that those aircraft did not have TCAS systems installed; leaving our TCAS system to send a one sided command. This is; of course; speculation; but one possibility in explaining why they were climbing while our TCAS commanded us to do the same. As for why the flight of 2 aircraft could not be heard on the frequency; or why the controller appeared not to see them; I am not sure.the climb command placed the green shade near vertically at the top. When I called this to the attention of the captain; the reply was I can see the traffic and did not think it would be safe to climb. When I observed the traffic; apparently in a climb; it was clear to both of us that pitching the airplane up that high; and into the green shade at the top of the vsi; would have pointed our aircraft directly at the conflicting traffic; and therefore would have jeopardized the safe outcome of the flight.in retrospect; I believe I could have been more direct with ATC sooner. I should have stated clearly that I observed traffic at out 12 o' clock and descending. If the controller was able to see the two aircraft in radar; he may have been able to issue instructions to both our flight and the flight of 2.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: CRJ900 First Officer reported possible TCAS RA error.

Narrative: During climb; passing approximately 7;000 ft. heading 020 as assigned by ATC; I observed a target on the TCAS display at our 11 to 12 o'clock position approaching our position from above and descending. I queried ATC to ask if they still wanted us on the 020 heading. As the controller responded 'affirmative' the TCAS target became a yellow TA; and very quickly became an RA with a 'Climb' command; with the green shade of the VSI narrowly at the top of the indicator. The Captain began a climb; however shallowed the climb soon after. I called to the Captain's attention that the TCAS was commanding a climb; and the Captain replied I have the traffic in sight and that it was above us and appearing to climb. I then observed what appeared to be a flight of two single engine propeller airplanes in formation above our position and in a steep climb. It was obvious that complying with the climb command; and placing the vertical speed in the green range would have seriously jeopardized the safety of the flight. The TCAS announced 'Clear of Conflict' and I notified ATC that we had responded to a TCAS RA. I first detected the event when I observed the target on my TCAS display. It was approaching our position from approx. 12 o'clock; and descending towards our altitude. Realizing there was a potential conflict; I asked ATC if they still wanted us on our current heading (020 deg). As the controller responded 'affirmative'; the target became a yellow TA; and very quickly an RA with a climb command was generated. When the traffic above us passed; I noticed that they appeared to be single engine propeller airplanes; possibly vintage fighter aircraft. I suspect this because of not only their shape; but also because they appeared to me to be moving very fast; and climbing steeply. It is possible that those aircraft did not have TCAS systems installed; leaving our TCAS system to send a one sided command. This is; of course; speculation; but one possibility in explaining why they were climbing while our TCAS commanded us to do the same. As for why the flight of 2 aircraft could not be heard on the frequency; or why the controller appeared not to see them; I am not sure.The climb command placed the green shade near vertically at the top. When I called this to the attention of the Captain; the reply was I can see the traffic and did not think it would be safe to climb. When I observed the traffic; apparently in a climb; it was clear to both of us that pitching the airplane up that high; and into the green shade at the top of the VSI; would have pointed our aircraft directly at the conflicting traffic; and therefore would have jeopardized the safe outcome of the flight.In retrospect; I believe I could have been more direct with ATC sooner. I should have stated clearly that I observed traffic at out 12 o' clock and descending. If the controller was able to see the two aircraft in radar; he may have been able to issue instructions to both our flight and the flight of 2.

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.