ExperimentalAB

Flying into a small PNW Airport last week (I won't say where), we were on a 10 mile right-base. It's the Captains leg, I'm working the radio's etc...and Approach, and then Tower, both call out multiple traffic targets, one of which was an "altitude unknown, type unknown" deal.

I had my head out for the next 30 seconds or so and spotted two of the three - no factor. Glancing back in to take a look at the TCAS, I caught something in my peripheral just below and to the right of us. I can only assume, being that we were descending below 5700 feet that it was a VFR aircraft at 5500'ish...But it was close enough that I could clearly see (in the two seconds during which I swore profusely, yanking back on the yoke) the Pilot in the C-140 completely oblivious to the fact that he was about to end up being a hood-ornament on a CRJ-200...Captain never saw him, nor did the Jumpseater.

Anybody who's flown up and down the California coast-line can attest to the multiple RA's we get a trip. This was certainly my closest call...Just be sure to pay close attention to transponder-less VFR traffic!

USMCFLYR

Had a VERY close pass with a FedEx Caravan (out of IPL) as I was taking off VFR out of NALF El Centro back in late May. As a squadron we usually have one or two per detachment (2 weeks). No TCAS but we use the a/a radar to our advantage.
Everyone keep their eyes out!

USMCFLYR

BoredwLife

Close call with a RV-6 desending into SJC from the east over the hills. Same thing traffic no altitude read-out. How close you ask?

I could read the AOPA emblem on his hat.
Still have dreams about it.

The Duke

Well, I've never come that close to another aircraft in flight...must have been fun. However, about 3 months ago on the POWDR 7 arrival Denver, just over POWDR @ 16,000, I saw something out of the corner of my left eye...looked at about 10 o'clock, level, saw a small flock of geese no more than 150 feet off our left side...again, exactly level altitude. Would have been interesting had we hit 'em. Of course, we're in a Dash, so we normally don't catch up to birds...they never did show up on the TCAS.

ExperimentalAB

You mean to say they weren't squawking or talking?!

Jamers

Man I hit an enormous bug at 17k the other day, I think it might have been a Pterodactyl or a fruit bat. That almost brought us down.

TonyMontana

Almost ran up the @ss of a glider one time, no ra, and he never saw us coming or gong.

contrails

I had a glider pass beneath me on the way into a class D airport a few years ago. I was with my instructor. The late afternoon sun was directly at our back so the glider pilots would have been looking right into it and probably shielding their view with their hand or something.

I did not see them until they were right beneath us. I could tell you an estimate in feet as to how close they were below our plane, but instead I'll just put it this way: the wristband on the pilot's watch was brown.

BURflyer

Hot Springs, Arkansas, All I can say is watch out. Had many close calls there, it's a perfect combination of students and doctors.

HercDriver130

I have flown wingtip form at .9m in a T-38... is that a close call?.....Well it could be depending on the quality of the students......LOL