2025-03 · NASA ASRS report 2221305
Air carrier flight crew reported having a high workload due to navigation issues; GPS interference; and terrain clearance responsibilities.
Departing El Paso (ELP); Runway 26L; on the ATKNN 5 RNAV Departure. After departure; we were cleared on the ATKNN 5 RNAV Departure procedure off Runway 26L. The aircraft was in FMS NAV mode. However; shortly after engaging FMS NAV; the aircraft did not initiate the expected left turn. On the flight display; it appeared the aircraft was stationary and not tracking properly along the programmed route. While troubleshooting the navigation issue; El Paso Tower queried if we were experiencing GPS jamming. Tower then advised us that we were at a low altitude alert and recommended an immediate climb to at least 8;000 feet (which was the current assigned altitude on departure). At that time; we were at approximately 6;900 feet and continued our climb to 8;000 feet.While addressing the GPS issue; the PM selected a direct-to the next waypoint (BIVKE) on the ATKNN 5 Departure to regain lateral navigation guidance and initiate a left turn back toward the appropriate departure track. Shortly afterward; we realized we had not been handed off to Departure; nor had either pilot acknowledged a frequency change from Tower. Upon contacting El Paso Tower after landing; the controller stated that a handoff had been made to Departure. Neither the Captain nor the First Officer (FO) recalls hearing a handoff or frequency change; and no acknowledgment was made; likely due to the high workload managing the aircraft's navigation issues; GPS interference; and terrain clearance responsibilities. While the controller believed we had been handed off; no confirmation or two-way communication of the frequency change had occurred. At no point during the climb out of El Paso did we receive any EGPWS nor was the aircraft in an unsafe position.Cause: Known GPS jamming in the El Paso area; which degraded the aircraft's ability to navigate using the FMS. ATC's failure to provide vectors or a heading off Runway 26L in lieu of flying the ATKNN 5 RNAV Departure; which could have reduced workload and simplified navigation in an area known for GPS interference. High workload during the initial climb; compounded by troubleshooting degraded navigation systems while ensuring terrain clearance.Suggestions: ELP ATC Tower should consider assigning heading/altitude on departure instead of assigning the ATKNN 5 RNAV Departure in an area with known GPS jamming/interference; as this departure procedure requires the aircraft to fly fairly close to the terrain to the west of the airport. Radio communication is a two-way process; and in this case; there was no positive two-way communication to confirm the frequency change before the controller ceased providing further instruction. Suggest the ELP ATC Tower Controller listen for confirmation of the frequency change. During this event; the ELP ATC Tower's first question to us was if we were experiencing GPS jamming. A heading assignment would have been much more beneficial to assist with terrain clearance.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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