I'm sorry to intrude here, on such a serious matter, but I can't understand WHY the TU-154 crew didn't comply with the RA.
I'm wondering how confortable would feel an aircrew, any aircrew, to disregard an RA, and do precisely the opposite?
Does it come down to a matter of what/who to trust the most? Do pilots trust TCAS? If so, in a similar conflict situation they will comply with the RA info, no matter what ATC says, simply because they trust the system; But if they don't trust the system, there is space for doubt in their minds, and probably will follow an opposite command from the ATC.
Are pilots instructed to obey TCAS over ATC? What should an ATCO do when a pilot reports back (if he/she has the time for it!) "Can't comply - we have an RA saying otherwise" ?
Excuse me for posing so many questions.
GD&L