While on a vabb runway 27 ILS in heavy rain; a rushed TRACON controller issued a descent clearance f...

Attributes
ACN	1188299
Time
Date	201407
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	VABB.Airport
State Reference	FO
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Widebody Transport
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying First Officer
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Person 2
Function	Pilot Not Flying Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence

Narrative:

After 5-10 minutes of vectoring and numerous descents we were finally given a 45 degree vector to intercept the final approach course while descending to an altitude assigned of 3;500 ft. We were between 22-24 NM from the runway for the ILS to runway 27. The approach controller cleared us to intercept the localizer and descend to 2;900 ft. (The controller later told us that we were cleared to intercept the localizer and at 15 DME to descend to 2;900 ft). Both of us (the captain and I) heard the; descend to 2;900 part but not the 'at 15 DME' part that the controller says was included. This unusual approach clearance was not picked up by either of us. As we approached 2;900 ft and neared the localizer we heard 'too low terrain' with an amber terrain indication on the pfd. We executed a missed approach and then returned immediately to complete an uneventful approach and landing.we misunderstood the ATC clearance. The clearance was not a clearance that is usual for the final approach segment with terrain in the vicinity in IMC conditions. Language issues were definitely a problem. The controller was very busy and may have been trying to save time by clearing us to descend to 3;500 ft and at 15 DME to descend to 2;900 ft. ATC should not issue conditional descent clearances on final approach in IMC.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: While on a VABB Runway 27 ILS in heavy rain; a rushed TRACON Controller issued a descent clearance from 3;500 FT to 2;900 FT but the crew did not hear at 15 DME; so while descending the EGPWS alerted TOO LOW TERRAIN prompting the escape maneuver.

Narrative: After 5-10 minutes of vectoring and numerous descents we were finally given a 45 degree vector to intercept the final approach course while descending to an altitude assigned of 3;500 FT. We were between 22-24 NM from the runway for the ILS to Runway 27. The Approach Controller cleared us to intercept the localizer and descend to 2;900 FT. (The Controller later told us that we were cleared to intercept the localizer and at 15 DME to descend to 2;900 FT). Both of us (the Captain and I) heard the; descend to 2;900 part but not the 'at 15 DME' part that the Controller says was included. This unusual approach clearance was not picked up by either of us. As we approached 2;900 FT and neared the localizer we heard 'TOO LOW TERRAIN' with an amber terrain indication on the PFD. We executed a missed approach and then returned immediately to complete an uneventful approach and landing.We misunderstood the ATC clearance. The clearance was not a clearance that is usual for the final approach segment with terrain in the vicinity in IMC conditions. Language issues were definitely a problem. The Controller was very busy and may have been trying to save time by clearing us to descend to 3;500 FT and at 15 DME to descend to 2;900 FT. ATC should not issue conditional descent clearances on final approach in IMC.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.

While on a vabb runway 27 ILS in heavy rain; a rushed TRACON controller issued a descent clearance from 3;500 ft to 2;900 ft but the crew did not hear at 15 DME; so while descending the egpws alerted too low terrain prompting the escape maneuver.