Event Description
On 4 August 2011, at 17:05 UTC, an Embraer 145, registration LX-LGX, was on a scheduled international passenger flight from Luxembourg to Madrid-Barajas Airport. While approaching runway 18L, the aircraft descended below the minimum altitudes specified in the standard terminal arrival route (STAR) and the minimum radar vectoring altitude. The crew had been cleared to descend to 10,000 feet but acknowledged descending to 5,000 feet. The aircraft continued descending until the Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) issued "TERRAIN TERRAIN" and "TERRAIN PULL-UP" alerts. The crew disengaged the autopilot and initiated a climb, reaching a minimum altitude of 6,290 feet. No damage to the aircraft or injuries to the 3 crew members and 44 passengers were reported.
Personnel Information
The captain, a 42-year-old French national, held an ATPL(A) and an EMB 135/145 rating, with 6,825 total flight hours, 3,988 on type. The first officer, a 29-year-old Belgian, held a CPL(A) and the same rating, with 2,279 total hours, 2,050 on type. Both had Level 5 English proficiency and required training. The captain had flown to Madrid the previous day; the first officer had last flown there on 20 July 2011.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft, an Embraer 145 LU (serial 145147), had two Allison AE3007A1 engines, a maximum authorized weight of 21,990 kg, and valid certificates. It had 28,387 hours and 26,165 cycles. Maintenance included a 100-hour inspection on 22 July 2011 and a C-check on 8 April 2011. The aircraft was equipped with an EGPWS providing terrain alerts.
Meteorological Conditions
At 17:00, the METAR reported wind from 210° at 8 knots, gusting to 20 knots, visibility over 10 km, no significant weather, and cloud cover not affecting operations.
ATC Communications
The aircraft was initially in contact with the RES sector, cleared to flight level 140 and advised for approach to runway 18L. At 17:00:22, the RES controller was relieved. The aircraft was transferred to the AIS sector at 17:04:09, by which time it had descended below 10,000 ft. The AIS controller reported radar contact at 7,349 ft and instructed a heading after TAGOM. After the EGPWS alerts, the AIS controller instructed headings 260° and 270° for traffic separation, and the crew reported maintaining 7,000 ft due to terrain. The controller then instructed a climb to 10,000 ft.
Flight Data
Data from the quick access recorder (QAR) showed the aircraft descended below the STAR minimum of 10,000 ft at 17:02:13 and below the minimum radar vectoring altitude of 9,000 ft at 17:03:21. The EGPWS issued a "Terrain Terrain" warning at 17:05:06, followed by "Terrain Pull Up" at 17:05:28. The crew disengaged the autopilot at 17:05:31. The minimum recorded altitude was 6,290 ft at 17:05:32.