B737 captain describes a night visual approach to san arriving from the north and believes that only...

Narrative:

Terrain clearance arrival into san was night VFR. Approach procedure had changed several times. We had been filed for shamu 1; were cleared the bayvu 3 for a 27 localizer. We re-requested the shamu 1 with an ILS to 9 approach. ILS to 9 was denied due to construction on the taxiway. We were then given vectors to a 27 localizer. We were on a right downwind to 27 and given a vector that would intercept the localizer just outside of the IAF (reebo) on a diagonal intercept course. As we were passing abeam the runway; ATC inquired if we had the runway insight. We did and they cleared us for a visual approach. We were about 4000 feet (estimate) and descending. The reebo intercept alt is 2000 feet and my plan was to square the base turn to arrive at reebo wings level inbound at 2000 feet. In order to do this I had to turn left slightly in order to have enough separation to turn back into reebo and be wings level for the crossing and descent. I started my descent to 2000 feet. There was terrain to the left of us; which we both saw and talked about. We passed the highest terrain to the right and turned base leg at 2000 feet. There was never a GPWS terrain warning in the cockpit; ATC never issued a terrain warning; nor was there ever a 1000 foot or 500 foot radar altimeter indication. At some point in the approach we did get the 2500 foot altitude radar call out. We had all terrain in sight; talked about it; did not feel uncomfortable and did not receive any cockpit or ATC warnings. This NASA report is timely. If I were to fly this flight again (night VFR); knowing what I do now; I would stay on the published arrival; with ATC control; until established on an approach segment.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 Captain describes a night visual approach to SAN arriving from the north and believes that only a full instrument approach with ATC control should be flown to this runway at night due to terrain considerations.

Narrative: Terrain Clearance Arrival into SAN was night VFR. Approach procedure had changed several times. We had been filed for Shamu 1; were cleared the Bayvu 3 for a 27 localizer. We re-requested the Shamu 1 with an ILS to 9 approach. ILS to 9 was denied due to construction on the taxiway. We were then given vectors to a 27 LOC. We were on a right downwind to 27 and given a vector that would intercept the localizer just outside of the IAF (REEBO) on a diagonal intercept course. As we were passing abeam the runway; ATC inquired if we had the runway insight. We did and they cleared us for a visual approach. We were about 4000 feet (estimate) and descending. The REEBO intercept alt is 2000 feet and my plan was to square the base turn to arrive at REEBO wings level inbound at 2000 feet. In order to do this I had to turn left slightly in order to have enough separation to turn back into REEBO and be wings level for the crossing and descent. I started my descent to 2000 feet. There was terrain to the left of us; which we both saw and talked about. We passed the highest terrain to the right and turned base leg at 2000 feet. There was never a GPWS terrain warning in the cockpit; ATC never issued a terrain warning; nor was there ever a 1000 foot or 500 foot radar altimeter indication. At some point in the approach we did get the 2500 foot altitude radar call out. We had all terrain in sight; talked about it; did not feel uncomfortable and did not receive any cockpit or ATC warnings. This NASA report is timely. If I were to fly this flight again (night VFR); knowing what I do now; I would stay on the published arrival; with ATC control; until established on an approach segment.

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.

Attributes
ACN	1226190
Time
Date	201412
Local Time Of Day	0001-0600
Place
Locale Reference	SAN.Airport
State Reference	CA
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Route In Use	Vectors Visual Approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 105 Flight Crew Total 15000 Flight Crew Type 105
Events
Anomaly	No Specific Anomaly Occurred All Types

B737 captain describes a night visual approach to san arriving from the north and believes that only a full instrument approach with ATC control should be flown to this runway at night due to terrain considerations.