PC12 pilot describes an RNAV approach to hio in rain and turbulence that does not go as planned with...

Narrative:

Flying in IMC conditions we were routed around the portland airspace for a landing at hio RNAV approach to [runway] 13. While on an assigned heading to intercept the [runway] 13 approach the aircraft flew through the inbound leg and continued west. Shortly thereafter the autopilot disengaged. I took over the aircraft and began the process of reprogramming the FMS as the guidance to the RNAV 13 was no longer active. The aircraft was in the landing configuration so flaps; landing gear and power settings had to be managed at the same time. I was also aware that there was terrain ahead. Being a single pilot the workload was very high. The conditions at 3;500 ft were IMC with heavy rain at times. I re-programmed the FMS (a complicated job in this aircraft) to an approach to [runway] 13 at hio. I turned right to reconfigure a landing to [runway] 13. The controller gave me a right turn heading to avoid the terrain. Maintaining aircraft control while performing radio and avionics tasks was a challenge. I was able to re-align the aircraft to intercept the inbound to [runway] 13 and the rest of the approach was uneventful.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PC12 pilot describes an RNAV approach to HIO in rain and turbulence that does not go as planned with the aircraft not intercepting the final approach course and continuing west toward high terrain. ATC issues a turn back; the FMS is reprogrammed; and a successful approach ensues.

Narrative: Flying in IMC conditions we were routed around the Portland airspace for a landing at HIO RNAV approach to [Runway] 13. While on an assigned heading to intercept the [Runway] 13 approach the aircraft flew through the inbound leg and continued west. Shortly thereafter the autopilot disengaged. I took over the aircraft and began the process of reprogramming the FMS as the guidance to the RNAV 13 was no longer active. The aircraft was in the landing configuration so flaps; landing gear and power settings had to be managed at the same time. I was also aware that there was terrain ahead. Being a single pilot the workload was very high. The conditions at 3;500 FT were IMC with heavy rain at times. I re-programmed the FMS (a complicated job in this aircraft) to an approach to [Runway] 13 at HIO. I turned right to reconfigure a landing to [Runway] 13. The Controller gave me a right turn heading to avoid the terrain. Maintaining aircraft control while performing radio and avionics tasks was a challenge. I was able to re-align the aircraft to intercept the inbound to [Runway] 13 and the rest of the approach was uneventful.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1054395
Time
Date	201212
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	HIO.Airport
State Reference	OR
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	PC-12
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Route In Use	Direct
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Instrument
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30.2 Flight Crew Total 1957 Flight Crew Type 142
Events
Anomaly	Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence

PC12 pilot describes an RNAV approach to hio in rain and turbulence that does not go as planned with the aircraft not intercepting the final approach course and continuing west toward high terrain. ATC issues a turn back; the FMS is reprogrammed; and a successful approach ensues.