An air carrier flight crew reported selecting the FMS LAS GRNPA ONE RNAV in error because it was an expected clearance. In the dusk glaring sun light; the crew could not see the airport and so executed a go-around for a visual to the east amid great confusion.
Synopsis
An air carrier flight crew reported selecting the FMS LAS GRNPA ONE RNAV in error because it was an expected clearance. In the dusk glaring sun light; the crew could not see the airport and so executed a go-around for a visual to the east amid great confusion.
Narrative
On descent into Las Vegas we were cleared to descend on the TYSSN TWO arrival. Prior to KADDY Intersection; I thought we were told to put the GRNPA ONE RNAV arrival in the box; but he meant for us to expect that arrival. When I put it in it took us off the TYSSN arrival. So we got vectors toward the airport. As we got closer to the airport we were heading directly into the sun. Visibility with the sun in our face and some haze. We were told to call the airport in sight by a Controller but we didn't see it until we were to close-in and high (about 2.5 miles and 6;000 MSL). When I told her we were too close and high (airport in sight) she 'cheerfully' told us we were cleared for the visual to 19L. So I told her in a disgusted tone 'Roger'. Then a male Controller came on and he told us if we needed to go-around to tell the Tower and they would coordinate it. Needless to day; when we did turn final we were too high for a stabilized approach and landing. So we did the go-around. The go-around was very rushed with multiple heading and distance instructions. We also thought at first that we were going to be vectored back to 19L; when in fact we were vectored for a close in for Runway 07R. I was very disgusted about the initial approach to 19L and felt we were being 'Goat-Roped' into doing the visual approach even though they knew I was not happy about how it worked out. The go-around was rushed; trying to input fixes and making sure to get the correct altitudes selected and clearances repeated. We felt that we were being pushed without knowing a plan into completing the approach and landing even though we were to close for a stabilized approach. A go-around that we thought would have time to execute to Runway 19L; was a quick 'box-like' pattern to 07R. We would have liked to know the plan was a close in approach ahead of time.
Second reporter narrative
On approach we were told to expect the GRNPA ONE arrival rather than the TYSSN TWO which we were flying. Captain misinterpreted the remark to expect; he selected the GRNPA right away. I lost my navigation line. We requested radar vectors. Were given radar vectors to the airport. Descended to 6;000 FT. We had difficulty seeing the airport in the haze and glare. We expected a turn to downwind for 19L. Approach kept asking us if we could see the airport. We finally could and [were] cleared for the visual. Approach had not let us descend further and we were at 6;000 approximately 2.5 miles from the field. I rapidly configured; but was unable to be stabilized by 1;000. We executed a go around. There were multiple communication difficulties between flight deck and Tower/Departure. We were in the midst of the go around and were given multiple headings; altitudes; and DME points. We were brought back around rapidly to 7R. We landed on 7R.I had only been in LAS a couple of times and only landing on 25L. I did not realize LAS procedure to bring us in so tight on the visual. I thought we were going to get a downwind since we were so close and needed to lose 4;000 FT. We should have asked for a 360 turn or vectors. I felt that we were pressured to execute and complete the approach and landing. We had advised the Approach Facility that it would be difficult to descend so rapidly. There was no apparent concern; and told us to tell Tower if we had to go around. We were definitely kept too high to make a normal approach. We made the correct decision to go around.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.