Close proximity during simultaneous visual approachs to parallel runways at pdx.

Attributes
ACN	141044
Time
Date	199003
Day	Fri
Local Time Of Day	1801 To 2400
Place
Locale Reference	airport : pdx
State Reference	OR
Altitude	msl bound lower : 6000 msl bound upper : 6000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : pdx
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	Medium Large Transport, Low Wing, 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Phase	cruise other
Route In Use	approach : visual enroute : on vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	Medium Large Transport, Low Wing, 2 Turbojet Eng
Navigation In Use	Other
Flight Phase	cruise other
Route In Use	approach : visual enroute : on vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : atp
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 230 flight time total : 14000
ASRS Report	141044
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : first officer
Qualification	pilot : atp
Events
Anomaly	conflict : nmac non adherence : clearance other spatial deviation
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	flight crew : took evasive action
Consequence	Other
Miss Distance	horizontal : 400 vertical : 0
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance

Narrative:

We were on approach to pdx, heading 030 degrees at 6000'. Pdx was conducting visibility approachs to runways 28 left and right. An air carrier Y medium large transport was reported on straight in to runway 28R (we could see his lights). We were directed to turn to 330 degrees, descend and intercept the extended centerline of runway 28L for a visibility approach. As I rolled into our turn to 300 degree I lost sight of air carrier Y light. I rolled wings level and told the controller I was unable to keep air carrier Y in sight. We were now told to 'turn to 330 degree for intercept, continue, air carrier Y had us in sight'. I turned at 30 degree angle bank (so not to overshoot final) and rolled out on 280 degree. Coming wings level, I discovered the medium large transport at my 1:30 position, about 300'-400' at our altitude, turning away from us. We were on separate frequencys, unable to talk to each other. In hindsight, I should have refused the approach and requested vectors behind air carrier Y. I trusted the controller to keep us separated, rather than my own good sense.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: CLOSE PROX DURING SIMULTANEOUS VISUAL APCHS TO PARALLEL RWYS AT PDX.

Narrative: WE WERE ON APCH TO PDX, HDG 030 DEGS AT 6000'. PDX WAS CONDUCTING VIS APCHS TO RWYS 28 L AND R. AN ACR Y MLG WAS RPTED ON STRAIGHT IN TO RWY 28R (WE COULD SEE HIS LIGHTS). WE WERE DIRECTED TO TURN TO 330 DEGS, DSND AND INTERCEPT THE EXTENDED CENTERLINE OF RWY 28L FOR A VIS APCH. AS I ROLLED INTO OUR TURN TO 300 DEG I LOST SIGHT OF ACR Y LIGHT. I ROLLED WINGS LEVEL AND TOLD THE CTLR I WAS UNABLE TO KEEP ACR Y IN SIGHT. WE WERE NOW TOLD TO 'TURN TO 330 DEG FOR INTERCEPT, CONTINUE, ACR Y HAD US IN SIGHT'. I TURNED AT 30 DEG ANGLE BANK (SO NOT TO OVERSHOOT FINAL) AND ROLLED OUT ON 280 DEG. COMING WINGS LEVEL, I DISCOVERED THE MLG AT MY 1:30 POS, ABOUT 300'-400' AT OUR ALT, TURNING AWAY FROM US. WE WERE ON SEPARATE FREQS, UNABLE TO TALK TO EACH OTHER. IN HINDSIGHT, I SHOULD HAVE REFUSED THE APCH AND REQUESTED VECTORS BEHIND ACR Y. I TRUSTED THE CTLR TO KEEP US SEPARATED, RATHER THAN MY OWN GOOD SENSE.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 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.