2025-06 · NASA ASRS report 2250437
Air carrier flight crew reported an unstabilized approach at CHA and noted a discrepancy between the Final Approach Fix altitude as shown on the Lido chart and in the FMS.
CHA was landing 20. We were approaching from the north. ATC going into CHA started our descent late requiring flight spoilers to be utilized to get down to the initial approach altitude. We were cleared for the visual 20. We intercepted the localizer just inside of the initial approach fix; but the glide slope was well below us already. Pilot flying put the next step down altitude; 2;500MSL; which was confirmed by pilot monitoring and we started descending. The FMS and Lido chart disagree about the FAF altitude. The FMS had 2;500MSL and the chart had 2;100MSL for the FAF altitude. Pilot flying decoupled autopilot to hand fly to get on glide slope. We intercepted the glideslope and were fully configured for landing. Pilot monitoring called out 1;000 feet above; stable. We set and confirmed the missed approach altitude. Pilot monitoring realized that approach had not told us to switch to tower yet. Pilot monitoring called approach to ask to switch to tower. Approach told us to switch. We made contact with tower at 700AGL and we were cleared to land 20. There was a nose high attitude that was unusual; but a lot had just happened in a short amount of time; and we did not realize the reason due to task saturation. The 'FLIGHT SPOILER DEPLOYED' yellow caution appeared and pilot monitoring immediately pushed the flight spoiler lever forward to retract the spoilers. The aircraft remained on glideslope and airspeed during the transition to the correct landing configuration; and we continued to land without incident.
While flying the approach for Runway 20 into Chattanooga; ATC vectored us for a very steep descent rate and cleared us for a visual approach. The Pilot Flying was required to use spoilers in order to get down. When we were cleared for the approach; the glide slope was already well below us. The pilot flying disengaged the autopilot and hand flew in order to get the aircraft stabilized in time. Both pilots noticed a discrepancy between the final approach altitude on the Lido approach chart and in the FMS but flew based on the glide slope. The Pilot flying had a stable approach but forgot to retract flight spoilers. The Pilot monitoring didn't notice due to task saturation; the approach controller never called for a switch to tower and as a result the pilot monitoring received a very delayed landing clearance at around 700ft AGL. The flight spoiler deployed caution message flashed and the pilot monitoring immediately retracted the spoilers. The approach was never unstable and the landing was continued safely.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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