Air carrier pilot reported the GPS indicated the aircraft was above the glide slope during approach while the PAPI indicated it was well below. Flight crew corrected and continued based on PAPI guidance.

Date: 2025-05 · Aircraft: A319 · Phase: approach

Anomalies: aircraft-equipment-problem-less-severe|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy|inflight-event-encounter-cftt-cfit|inflight-event-encounter-unstabilized-approach

Synopsis

Air carrier pilot reported the GPS indicated the aircraft was above the glide slope during approach while the PAPI indicated it was well below. Flight crew corrected and continued based on PAPI guidance.

Narrative

We planned and were cleared for a visual approach Rwy XX ; which we briefed would be backed up with the RNAV (RNP) Y XX approach. The FMGC was properly programmed and GPS remained HIGH for the entire approach on the PROG page. We had our brick; stick; and two FMAs as the approach was being conducted in final app. We were cleared for the visual approach and joined. the inbound course just outside of ZZZZZ (6.5 miles from the runway) and descended to 2000. The vertical deviation showed us high the entire time as we began the descent We descended to catch the electronic GPS glide slope and the first officer disconnected the autopilot. Just outside of ZZZZZ1 at 1300'; we were still getting a full fly down indication on our vertical glide slope showing we were high we both noted all 4 PAPI's for XX were red. At that point in instructed the first officer to ignore the GPS glide slope and follow the PAPI's. I also based this off of distance to the runway and our altitude. An uneventful landing ensued.

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