While descending for a visual approach to AVP Runway 4 the flight crew of an air carrier jet received an EGPWS Terrain warning and initiated a go around. A subsequent ILS to the same runway was uneventful.
Synopsis
While descending for a visual approach to AVP Runway 4 the flight crew of an air carrier jet received an EGPWS Terrain warning and initiated a go around. A subsequent ILS to the same runway was uneventful.
Narrative
On ATC vector for base; Approach cleared us for visual Runway 4 at AVP about 5 to 6 mile out at 4;000 FT (which is MSA for that airport. starting our descending turn toward Runway 4 we got GPWS terrain warning pull up; so we executed a climb; which put us too high for approach into AVP; as a result; I cancel my visual clearance; and this time I asked for an ILS approach into Runway 4; at this time my altitude was 2;500 and climbing; when we handed down to Approach Control; he gave us low altitude warning and ask if we have the terrain in sight; and we told them we do have all terrain in sight and he climbed us to 4;000 (MSA) and we shot the ILS 4 and landed subsequently. The event took place because after vectoring us we were cleared for a visual approach in a high terrain airport of which we got GPWS warning; which we had to respond to. The respond caused us to be way up to execute a stable approach; which I decided to cancel my visual approach and proceed with ILS approach. I talked to another Captain landing after us; and he told me their airline has a special procedure Notice outlining the possibility of getting GPWS coming from that direction (southwest) on visual approach. Having said that; next time I know that not to accept visual approach from that direction after vectoring us; because of the chance of getting GPWS warning; and subsequent break off from Approach.
Second reporter narrative
While on approach to AVP We were given a vector inside the final approach fix to land on Runway 4; upon descending we encountered the terrain caution and pulled up. At that point we were unable to continue the visual approach to Runway 4 so we called the Tower for vectors back around. They gave us a low altitude warning and they vectored us back out on a downwind then transferred us to approach again. We climbed up to 4;000 FT and got vectored around to the final and landed fine. This was caused by a bad vector followed by us accepting the visual approach to Runway 4. This might be prevented by having an information plate stating that the EGPWS might be triggered by accepting a visual approach coming from the west.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.