Air carrier vectored on LOC Runway 19R for visual approach; entered thin cloud layer and was unable to see the airport; absent an ILS clearance elects to initiate a go around; reporters questioned ATC handling.
Synopsis
Air carrier vectored on LOC Runway 19R for visual approach; entered thin cloud layer and was unable to see the airport; absent an ILS clearance elects to initiate a go around; reporters questioned ATC handling.
Narrative
Runway 19C closed at IAD. We are vectored to Runway 19R. Told to join 19R LOC (but not cleared for any approach) from about 4000 feet on about a 10 mile final. Slowing and configuring; ATC tells us to descend to 2000 feet approximately 7 miles out and call the airport. ATC never specifies that we are to plan a visual; but keeps asking us to report airport in sight. The 2000 feet altitude they assign puts us smack in a thin cloud layer they don't realize has moved over approach path. At this altitude we can neither see the airport nor intercept the GS as we are above it the whole time. For unknown reasons; ATC will not clear us for an ILS nor will they assign a lower altitude than 2000 feet; they just keep asking for visual acquisition; which never happens. This progresses until we realize that we are too far above the GS for a stabilized approach and we begin our own go-around. ATC becomes quite overloaded and never: 1)Issues us a go-around 2)Issues an approach clearance (visual or instrument) or lower altitude 3)Instructs us to call tower even though we are only about 3 miles from airport. ATC is also quite slow in giving us go-around vectors/altitudes and we find ourselves flying uncomfortably low at 2000 feet over the airport for quite some time. On our subsequent approach; there are spacing speed problems still going on and yet another company plane ahead of us is issued a go-around. Our go-around caught us by surprise and was less than stellar. Being that we never caught the GS and thus selected a go-around altitude; when we executed the go-around there was no altitude set to capture; so the nose simply pitched up and blasted on high; but ATC never issued a new altitude other than to 2000 feet; so we had to override the climb immediately disconnect everything and haul back to 2000 feet. Very challenging.
Second reporter narrative
Approach brought us in too high; too tight and too fast for safe landing. We were too high to get below a small deck and see the runway. Approach Controller expected us to pick up a visual so never cleared us for the approach to 19R. After prodding he gave us a 200 heading and 2000 FT. He was unaware of how busy the cockpit becomes in this situation. He asked us if we were listening when I told him we had a lot to do. I believe we missed some of his calls but not his instructions. He eventually brought us around for a 15 mile final and another approach to 19R. This time he cleared us for the approach. Unfortunately; he brought us and two other aircraft onto final with inadequate spacing. Fortunately another Controller came on and sent another aircraft around.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.