2024-12 · NASA ASRS report 2194658
Air carrier pilot crew reported GPS spoofing potentially occurring at ZGSZ Airport led to navigational systems malfunctioning while on initial approach. After a go-around and turning off the GPS; the navigation display showed more accurate data and the flight crew landed uneventfully.
Enroute workload was already high due to late changes and complying with very poorly written MEL 36-XX-XX-XX. ATC cleared us for SAR 9Z just prior to SAREX; then RNP ILS DME Z 34. Got vectored off; then cleared direct NLG; flew published arrival; and on base leg approaching CF34 to descend to 700 meters; cleared for approach. Note that 700 meters is NOT on the China FL to meter chart; we used the approach plate value of 2300 feet. We got ADS-B L out; switched to right transponder and got ADS-B Right out. Then some GPS out alerts. This all happening while we are on magenta line; and aircraft is turning to join final. Armed ILS and as the aircraft was turning left suddenly the magenta line was several miles to the right. ILS localizer was NOT captured; and aircraft was meandering. We got runway in sight but were well to the right of centerline and magenta course still even further to the right. ATC also asking if we were established at this point. Decided to go around. Flew heading; requested ATC vectors for second ILS. Disabled GPS; but flew approach in raw data with approach tile to avoid confusion. Landed on second approach.Cause: High workload and GPS spoofing.Suggestions: Earlier awareness. Made this flight extremely busy. We were also getting a line check. This would be an excellent simulator event!
While on vectors we were given a direct NLG into SZX for the RNP ILS DME Z Runway 34. The crew had set up the approach and checked it over; and everything appeared to be alright. We were flying the RNAV portion of the approach and while on the base leg of the approach; at some point we encountered GPS spoofing. We received an ADS B OUT L and ADS B OUT R EICAS indication as well as a TERR POS and UNABLE RNP caution. Upon looking at my iPad; I noticed the position of the aircraft on the moving map display did not correspond to the actual aircraft position. In addition; the runway we were attempting to fly an approach to was not indicated farther on our navigation display than what appeared to be normal. As the weather conditions were hazy VFR; we were unable to see the runway at about 10 miles from the field. We made a turn to intercept final; but the instrument indications were not lining up as expected. Our navigation displayed the runway well to the right of our current path with the ILS indicating we were well right of where we needed to be. When we did finally have the visibility to see the runway; we realized we were two or more miles right of course while our navigation display indicated we were well left of course. ATC queried us as to whether we had lined up with the correct runway to which we informed them we were having GPS issues. The Captain elected to go around; and we received radar vectors for an ILS approach to the same runway using raw data. The second approach and landing were uneventful. It should also be noted that as we prepared for the second approach; the Captain directed the GPS be turned off; and after that it appears the navigation display showed much more accurate data.Cause: Most likely GPS spoofing.Suggestions: NOTAMs about possible GPS spoofing in the area in order for crews to disengage the GPS systems earlier.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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