Air carrier on visual approach to SFO Runway 28L; at night; questioned ATC's technique reference pointing parallel traffic toward each another; and then expecting a significant bank angle toward the airport; with conflicting parallel runway traffic.

Date: 2009-06 · Aircraft: B757-200 · Phase: approach

Anomalies: atc-issue-all-types|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-clearance

Synopsis

Air carrier on visual approach to SFO Runway 28L; at night; questioned ATC's technique reference pointing parallel traffic toward each another; and then expecting a significant bank angle toward the airport; with conflicting parallel runway traffic.

Narrative

On this flight; and also a recent flight; I was vectored to a visual approach Runway 28L. On both flights I was given a sharp turn to final; to intercept localizer; and cleared visual approach. My concern is on both flights a 25-30 degree bank turn to intercept (and avoid overshoot of localizer) was required; and on both flights that turn pointed me right at traffic on visual for Runway 28R. At night; the jet on Runway 28R approach filled my windscreen with position lights and my situational awareness of separation was close to zero. I could only rely on my not overshooting. I was told we would be 'paired up' with a 757. We were given a last second; 90 degree intercept vector which put us alongside. I just don't see the reason to be pointing aircraft at each other. I see it as completely unsafe. I would also like to know specifically when I am 90 degrees to localizer; 1.7 miles from it; and the Controller's last minute turn instructions are garbled or blocked; do I declare an emergency and intercept (which points me at an aircraft); or do I declare emergency and fly through localizer? It is going to happen.

More incidents for this aircraft family →

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