Date: 201810
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: CLT.Airport, NC
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Night
Aircraft: Regional Jet 900 (CRJ900)
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Climb
ATC / advisory: TRACON CLT
Second aircraft: Airbus Industrie Undifferentiated or Other Model
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Workload; Situational Awareness
Second reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; First Officer
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Inflight Event / Encounter Wake Vortex Encounter
Detector: Automation Aircraft RA
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Contributing factors: Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure; Human Factors
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: We were climbing out on the CLT2 and started picking up wake turbulence when we turned to a 330 heading. I was climbing fairly steep off autopilot to try and out climb the wake from airplane in front of us. We were fairly light for a 900 and were able to do 2500 FPM easily and the wake subsided. At approximately 6000 feet ATC issued a turn to 270 heading and advised an Airbus at our 12-1 o'clock and level at 9000 feet. We had the traffic in sight and I reduced thrust to slow the climb rate but it was not enough to prevent the preventative RA to 'level off'. We leveled at approximately 7700 notified ATC and climbed to 8000 when the RA ceased. TCAS Preventative RA to 'level off'. Wake turbulence and wanting to maintain a safe and comfortable ride for passengers and flight attendants. We were somewhat task saturated still on the departure and trying to set up for an arrival into [destination] and determine runway landing direction to stay ahead. We talked about Runway 22 prior to leaving CLT based on the TAF and knew that everything would happen pretty fast when turned westbound. I could have done a better job monitoring the TCAS prior to the RA but had the traffic visually. The 1000 feet to level off; turn to 270; and wake were all contributing factors.


Second narrative: During the climb out we were busy with the normal departure workload and anticipating the short flight to [destination]. I was already starting the arrival set up. When ATC gave us the traffic report and we both had the traffic; I returned to setting up for arrival. When we received the TA I stopped what I was doing to focus on the traffic. We received the RA due to inadequate reduction in the rate of climb and the Captain preformed the level off 300 FT below our assigned altitude. Our task loading was we high during the climb out and the ATC instructions turning us towards the airplane flying over our flight path contributed to the increased potential of the RA. In hindsight when we received a traffic report and a heading towards the traffic; we should [have] waited until clear of traffic to continue arrival planning.


Synopsis: CRJ-900 flight crew reported receiving an RA during climb triggered by the closure rate to another aircraft above. Workload and a wake turbulence encounter were cited as contributing.