Air carrier flight crew reported a CFTT event during approach to JAX airport. The Captain stated the First Officer failed to level off at 2;000 feet requiring the Captain to take over the controls and climb back to 2;000 feet.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported a CFTT event during approach to JAX airport. The Captain stated the First Officer failed to level off at 2;000 feet requiring the Captain to take over the controls and climb back to 2;000 feet.
Narrative
We were cleared to maintain 3;000 until established and cleared for the ILS 26; maintain 170 until a five mile final. The First Officer armed the approach and called out the FMA changes. We joined the localizer outside of TIKRY; the First Officer set 2;000 and started a descent. As we approached 2;000 ft. approximately 2 miles from TIKRY; we started to see the ground and I began to look for the field. At the same time I expected to feel the aircraft level off at 2;000; ATC and the First Officer were talking. I looked down at the altimeter and saw that we were descending below 2;000 and that 1;600 was now set in the preselect. I announced 'check your altitude; let's get back up to 2.' We continued to descend and I announced my controls". I disengaged the autopilot and returned to 2;000 feet. Controls were transferred back to the First Officer and approach continued in visual conditions. First Officer is new to the aircraft and the company. He's a sharp individual and has a great attitude. Today showed a gap in his experience and understanding of the aircraft. After talking about the situation after the flight he wasn't sure what had happened. I explained what had happened and suggested that a good technique is to maintain the initial altitude from ATC and to capture the glide slope from there."
Second reporter narrative
We were cleared to maintain 3;000 ft.; until established and cleared for the ILS 26; maintain 170 knots until a five mile final. I armed the approach and called out the FMA changes. We joined the localizer outside of TIKRY; I set 2;000 and started a descent. As we approached 2;000 ft.; approximately 2 miles from TIKRY; we started to see the ground. I expected the aircraft level off at 2;000 however we never captured the glide slope or had alt*. We started to descend below 2;000 I quickly went to press the level off button to try to capture and maintain 2;000 ft. I then looked down at the altimeter and saw that we were descending below 2;000 and tried to quickly adjust the altitude back to 2;000. The Captain then announced 'check your altitude; let's get back up to 2.' We continued to descend as the aircraft was adjusting for the new settings that was inputted at the last moment the Captain at this point announced 'I have controls.' The Captain disengaged the autopilot and returned to 2;000 ft. Controls were transferred back to the First Officer and approach continued in visual conditions. Lesson I learned from this mistake is that from now on prior to setting the bottom altitude I will ensure the glide slope has captured and or alt* is on the FMA.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.