2011-11 · NASA ASRS report 979773
An air carrier crew confused by ATC's SBGL ARENA 1A clearance flew direct SULI after PAI descending to 2;000 FT while observing FMC STAR constraints. However; the ILS/LOC Z Runway 15 7;000 FT NATU constraint on ILS is not shown on the FMC when following the ARENA 1A arrival; and was not observed on the approach.
Arena 1A (RWY 15) Arrival followed by 'ILS or LOC Z 15'. Received clearance 'Descend Via.' In a separate sentence there was also a clearance for ILS Z 15 approach. We tried to get confirmation as to what was meant by 'cleared via'. After PAI VOR pilot flying went direct to a point on the final approach (LOCK or SULI I think) and continued descent toward 2;000. Pilot not flying was monitoring arrival fixes after PAI on fix page (as they had dropped out of legs page) and crosschecking their crossing altitudes. The approach has a fix 'NATU' that does not appear on Arrival chart. It is located outside of several fixes that do appear on arrival chart. NATU has a ball note for 'Mandatory 7;000'' crossing. Mile or two outside of NATU descending through 5;600 FT; ATC informed [us] we should be at 7;000. Pilot flying immediately climbed back to 7;000 FT to cross NATU then continued descent. No terrain warnings received by EGPWS or ATC. Normal approach and landing followed. We need to get a clearer understanding of which lateral and vertical path (approach chart vs. arrival chart) we are to be flying and have better situation awareness of the most conservative crossing restrictions depicted on the different charts.
Pilot flying immediately climbed back to 7;000 FT to cross NATU then continued descent. Normal approach and landing followed. It would seem that SBGL approach is trying to use newer RNAV arrivals and transition to an approach with a fix prior to the end of the assigned arrival. This is something new in SBGL airspace and should be highlighted to crews going in there. Furthermore; better; clearer; and more precise ATC instructions would certainly help to prevent another 'cleared via' type of descent that leaves open many questions. Also; it is a little difficult to see that ball note on the approach. It should be moved or printed differently.
The Reporter stated that he has been flying this routing for over two years and this 'Cleared VIA' approach is new and confusing phraseology. The confusion arose because of the clearance for the 'ILS or LOC Z 15' attached to the ARENA 1A. The pilot flying assumed that after PAI the routing was direct SULI which has a 2;000' intercept altitude and so the PNF was monitoring the FMC ARENA 1A constraints while the pilot flying proceeded off track. ATC would not clarify the clearance and so the crew assumed they were proceeding correctly until they were told of the 7;000' NATU constraint which is designed to clear the ridge line while proceeding direct SULI. But because the crew was following the ARENA 1 constraints they were below the 7;000' altitude designed to safely clear the 5315' mountain on the direct path.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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