Narrative:

We were in cruise flight at FL350; northeast bound; on J174; at approximately zizzi intersection when a TA was issued by TCAS. We both immediately reduced the range on our navigation displays to the minimum range and I saw an amber target at 12 o'clock and 15 miles; 800 ft [below and] climbing. I was trying to ask center about our traffic; but could not due to frequency congestion. About 4 seconds after the TA the TCAS issued a 'monitor vertical speed; climb; climb' RA. The pilot flying commanded; 'autopilot off; flight directors off;' and manually flew the aircraft in a climb in compliance with the RA indications on the vsi of the pfd. I turned off the flight directors and said; 'flight directors off'.I was trying to report the RA when another aircraft reported they were complying with an RA. I was then able to get in my report to ARTCC that we were complying with an RA. Center told the other aircraft to turn left to a heading and we were told to turn left to heading 360. When we were established in the left turn I heard the other aircraft report visual contact with us and at that instant I had visual on them. Two seconds later they passed under us in a left turn. The TCAS indicated they were 600 ft below us and descending and my altimeter indicated we were at FL357. I estimate the other aircraft was approximately 300 ft to our right horizontally and 600 ft below us when we passed each other. About 10 seconds after the other aircraft passed; TCAS advised 'clear of conflict.'I believe that the other aircraft had been cleared to climb through our altitude and the conflict was not noticed by the controller. The TCAS system worked well and that this event could be considered a 'save' from a catastrophic event.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An A319 in cruise at FL350 received a TCAS RA with respect to an opposite direction air carrier inappropriately cleared to climb to FL360.

Narrative: We were in cruise flight at FL350; northeast bound; on J174; at approximately ZIZZI intersection when a TA was issued by TCAS. We both immediately reduced the range on our navigation displays to the minimum range and I saw an amber target at 12 o'clock and 15 miles; 800 FT [below and] climbing. I was trying to ask Center about our traffic; but could not due to frequency congestion. About 4 seconds after the TA the TCAS issued a 'monitor vertical speed; climb; climb' RA. The pilot flying commanded; 'Autopilot off; flight directors off;' and manually flew the aircraft in a climb in compliance with the RA indications on the VSI of the PFD. I turned off the flight directors and said; 'Flight directors off'.I was trying to report the RA when another aircraft reported they were complying with an RA. I was then able to get in my report to ARTCC that we were complying with an RA. Center told the other aircraft to turn left to a heading and we were told to turn left to heading 360. When we were established in the left turn I heard the other aircraft report visual contact with us and at that instant I had visual on them. Two seconds later they passed under us in a left turn. The TCAS indicated they were 600 FT below us and descending and my altimeter indicated we were at FL357. I estimate the other aircraft was approximately 300 FT to our right horizontally and 600 FT below us when we passed each other. About 10 seconds after the other aircraft passed; TCAS advised 'clear of conflict.'I believe that the other aircraft had been cleared to climb through our altitude and the conflict was not noticed by the Controller. The TCAS system worked well and that this event could be considered a 'save' from a catastrophic event.

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.