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B767-300 captain reported a miscommunication on cleared altitude and receiving a GPWS terrain warning on a visual approach to ont runway 26L.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1411039 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201612 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ONT.Airport |
| State Reference | CA |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Night |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | B767-300 and 300 ER |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Initial Approach |
| Route In Use | Visual Approach Vectors |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Captain Pilot Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100 Flight Crew Total 10000 Flight Crew Type 3000 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Altitude Overshoot Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT |
Narrative:
On vectors for an ILS to 26L ont. The controller was very busy and was working more than one frequency. I thought he gave us a descent to 7000 feet and I thought that was what the first officer read back. I indicated I had the airport in sight to the first officer and asked him to tell ATC in anticipation of a visual approach clearance. When there was a break in communications; the first officer called ATC and said we were descending to 7000 MSL and had the airport in sight. At this time we were descending through 7200 MSL. The controller stated that we were supposed to be descending to 7400 but it wasn't a problem and we were cleared for the visual approach to 26L. No traffic conflicts occurred. It was a busy time of night and with the controller working multiple frequencies; communication was difficult at best. During the descent there was a terrain aural warning from the GPWS. Terrain was in sight and we were safely clear. Also; the terrain display showed us clear and I am very familiar with the area. I did slow the descent rate but it was VMC and safety wasn't in doubt. I was surprised at the descent clearance though; because from past experience most controllers clear a descent to 8000 MSL in that area.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: B767-300 Captain reported a miscommunication on cleared altitude and receiving a GPWS terrain warning on a visual approach to ONT Runway 26L.
Narrative: On vectors for an ILS to 26L ONT. The Controller was very busy and was working more than one frequency. I thought he gave us a descent to 7000 feet and I thought that was what the First Officer read back. I indicated I had the airport in sight to the First Officer and asked him to tell ATC in anticipation of a visual approach clearance. When there was a break in communications; the First Officer called ATC and said we were descending to 7000 MSL and had the airport in sight. At this time we were descending through 7200 MSL. The Controller stated that we were supposed to be descending to 7400 but it wasn't a problem and we were cleared for the visual approach to 26L. No traffic conflicts occurred. It was a busy time of night and with the Controller working multiple frequencies; communication was difficult at best. During the descent there was a terrain aural warning from the GPWS. Terrain was in sight and we were safely clear. Also; the terrain display showed us clear and I am very familiar with the area. I did slow the descent rate but it was VMC and safety wasn't in doubt. I was surprised at the descent clearance though; because from past experience most controllers clear a descent to 8000 MSL in that area.
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.