A LATE NIGHT ARR AT DCA IS PLAGUED BY SEVERAL LAPSES IN OPERATING PROCS BY A FATIGUED AND COMPLACENT CREW.
Synopsis
A LATE NIGHT ARR AT DCA IS PLAGUED BY SEVERAL LAPSES IN OPERATING PROCS BY A FATIGUED AND COMPLACENT CREW.
Narrative
DURING DSCNT INTO DCA; APCH CLRED FOR TO 5000 FT AND CAPT (PF) WENT DOWN TO APPROX 4600 FT PRIOR TO CORRECTION BACK TO ASSIGNED ALT. COPLT MISSED 1000 FT ABOVE CALLOUT DUE TO HEAD DOWN IDENTING ILS AND OUTER COMPASS LOCATOR -- NO EXCUSE SIRS; BAD SITUATIONAL AWARENESS ON MY PART. COPLT ASKED APCH IF THERE WAS A PROB/CONFLICT AND APCH SAID 'NO PROBS.' THERE WAS NO ONE AROUND US THAT LATE AT NIGHT -- LUCKILY. APCH CLRED US TO 2500 FT AND THEN FOR A VISUAL AFTER COPLT CALLED FIELD AND WILSON BRIDGE IN SIGHT FOR THE CAPT. CAPT THEN ACCIDENTALLY WENT BELOW RECOMMENDED 1600 FT ALT OUTSIDE 5.6 DME WHILE ALIGNING ACFT WITH THE RIVER. THE REST OF APCH AND LNDG WAS UNEVENTFUL. I HAVE 'RELEARNED' MANY LESSONS FROM THIS EVENT. UNFORTUNATELY LAPSES IN ATTN CAN CAUSE INCIDENTS; BUT FORTUNATELY ESCAPES AND REFLECTION WILL PERMIT ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO REDEDICATE MY EFFORTS TO CONCENTRATE EVEN MORE WHEN LATE NIGHT; ROUTINE ARRS TO FAMILIAR FIELDS CAN LULL ANYONE INTO COMPLACENCY. SUPPLEMENTAL INFO FROM ACN 479734: I WAS IN A HURRY TO DSND. I IGNORED THE 5000 FT CLRNC. THE AUTOPLT WAS ENGAGED; BUT WITH THE DSCNT RATE WHICH I HAD SET UP; WE DSNDED TO 4500 FT. IT WAS EARLY MORNING AND IT HAD BEEN A LONG 3 DAYS. I WAS CONFUSED BECAUSE I WAS VERY FATIGUED.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.