Air carrier pilot reported confusion between instrument guidance and visual reference on approach alignment to MMSM Runway 22R resulted in a go around. Pilot indicated a language barrier and airport diagram error added to the confusion.

Date: 2024-01 · Aircraft: Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng · Phase: landing

Anomalies: atc-issue-all-types|deviation-track-heading-all-types|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy|ground-event-encounter-ground-equipment-issue|inflight-event-encounter-unstabilized-approach|no-specific-anomaly-occurred-unwanted-situation

Synopsis

Air carrier pilot reported confusion between instrument guidance and visual reference on approach alignment to MMSM Runway 22R resulted in a go around. Pilot indicated a language barrier and airport diagram error added to the confusion.

Narrative

While on approach to Runway 22R and weather reported 8 km we had hard time seeing runway. When we finally saw runway on the right we had to align airplane slightly right of course. We both immediately realized that our instruments don't match what we are looking and seeing outside so we asked Tower if we are indeed aligned with correct runway. Tower Controller had hard time understanding what we asking and after 4th time us asking local pilot relayed message to Tower. Around that time we decided to make a go around and reevaluate the whole situation. I believe after we initiated go-around Tower as well wanted us to do go around. We made published missed approach; reloaded the approach and second attempt was uneventful. We found out later that airplane behind us had a same problem we did with aligning with 22R.I believe that we should add this caution to airport company pages. If you look airport diagram it does not show anything on right side of the 22R and still there is other runway on right of it.Also recommendation during visual conditions is to trust your instruments. Let the airplane align itself with runway before disconnecting autopilot.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.