2022-04 · NASA ASRS report 1891763
Air Carrier Pilot Crew reported receiving a GPWS Terrain warning on final approach using the RNAV approach. The Captain states it's possible the descent rate was too high and caused an excessive terrain closure rate. The pilots were in VMC at all times.
We were approaching ZZZ and had requested the RNAV Y XXL approach; even though the conditions were clear with 10 miles visibility and winds 310 at 16-21 kts. I; as Pilot Flying; had briefed the visual approach- backed up with the RNAV XXL. It was during the approach that we received a 'too low; terrain' advisory followed by a 'pull up' command. We were level at 3200 ft. MSL and located between the fixes of 'ZZZZZ' and 'ZZZZZ1' on the 261 degree final approach course when we received the advisory and command (at approximately XA00Z). I immediately disconnected the autopilot and hand flew the aircraft a few degrees to the right of the final approach course in order to provide some lateral distance between the 2000-3000 ft. terrain off my left shoulder; all while maintaining 3200 ft. We were in visual conditions and the runway and terrain were in sight the entire time. I advised my First Officer that I would fly the aircraft 'to the numbers' and square off our turn to final before aligning with the runway. Perhaps the GPWS didn't like my vertical descent rate to 3200 ft. and the closure rate between us and the terrain. At no time did we descend below the altitudes depicted on the approach (i.e.; 5100 before ZZZZZ2; 4100 before ZZZZZ and 3200 before ZZZZZ1).
We were flying from ZZZ1 to ZZZ. In range we had briefed the Visual Approach back up with RNAV Y RWY XXL. The weather was 10 miles visibility; sky clear with the winds 310 16 kts. gusting to 21. All procedures and checklists were completed according to company policies and procedures. When Approach asked me what type of approach we were expecting I replied; 'RNAV Y RWY XXL' and we were cleared for that approach. Captain had briefed the ZZZZZ3 approach and predictive monitoring. We crossed ZZZZZ2 at 5100 and descended down to the next altitude of 4100 for final approach fix at ZZZZZ. Point 3 prior to ZZZZZ we started down at 700 fpm to meet our next crossing restriction at ZZZZZ1. At this point received the EGPWS call out of 'TERRAIN; PULL UP'. We were in VMC and could visually confirm we were away from the terrain. Captain immediately disconnected the auto pilot and turned the aircraft to the right away from the terrain and leveled off. Captain then turned towards the numbers and squared off the approach. We continued a normal visual approach from that point. At 1000 ft. above field elevation we were stable and I called '1000 Ft. Above Stabilized'. According to the FOM the approach is allowed to continue as long as we corrected the warning before 100 ft. above field elevation. We corrected the warning at approximately 3200 ft. MSL. Landing proceeded as normal.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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