Medium Transport flight crew reported unstable approach at MFR resulted in a go-around. Flight crew stated that published approaches do not allow approaches to be flown within stabilized approach criteria.
Synopsis
Medium Transport flight crew reported unstable approach at MFR resulted in a go-around. Flight crew stated that published approaches do not allow approaches to be flown within stabilized approach criteria.
Narrative
After visual approach to Runway 32; a go-around was conducted due to being too high to land safely. During the go-around; ATC directed us to make a left traffic pattern back to the same runway. Aircraft was climbed to 3;600 MSL. (The MDA that had been previously set for the approach.) However; the TPA for turbine aircraft at MFR is 2;804 MSL. The published approaches for Runway 32 at MFR are unable to be safely flown with Aircraft X. The approach descent angles are too high. Backing up visual approaches with a published approach is standard company practice but in this case left the aircraft high. Also unusual is the descent required in the go-around to achieve traffic patterns altitude that ATC might be expecting. Pattern altitude however is too low to be flown in the downwind for too long if extended due to other traffic due to rising terrain. Suggest providing visual approach guidance for turbine aircraft that follows the valley that extends to the south-southeast of the airport. Also suggest ATC either assign a specific altitude during a go around and/or ensure a higher than traffic pattern altitude is available if the downwind gets extended. Alternatively; assign a go around straight ahead to holding at OED VOR. pilots should also be prepared to descend during the go around if using any published approach to runway 32 which is a different action than many might expect.
Second reporter narrative
Cleared for a visual approach into MFR; followed the guidance for the RNAV-D; this led to an unstable approach due to the descent angle required; did a go-around and leveled off above pattern altitude as we had the missed approach altitude set. Flew a VFR pattern with no further event.Cause: approach descent angle being too steep for a Medium Transport jet; crew unfamiliar with the airport.Suggestions: specific company guidance on the approach to Runway 32 with altitudes and glide path guidance for a Medium Transport jet.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.