Narrative:

When we checked on with tys approach; the controller acknowledged us and told us to report the field. I'd estimate we reported it 12-15 miles out. My mfd was on 12 mile range. We were then cleared for the visual to 23L and also cleared to land at the same time. My plan was to intercept the localizer between goodl and rkytp. We were descending at about 1700-2000 ft/min; as it's a well-known fact that atlanta center tends to leave you high into tys. Also; I was trying to get on the ground because I had a very bad stomach ache from some hotel food earlier in the day and thought it was a real possibility I was going to be sick. I was aware that there are two very tall towers in the area that are roughly the same height as the intercept altitude of 2;800 feet over rkytp. They are somewhat hard to see as they kind of blend in with the city lights below; especially at night. I had what I believed to be them in sight to my right and remember commenting on how tall they are. At that exact moment; we received a GPWS warning to pull up for an obstacle. It all happened very fast; but I immediately complied! I also executed a turn to the left; as they appeared as a red dot to the right of the aircraft position on my mfd. I think our altitude was 3;200 or 3;300 when we received the GPWS activation. Once it said we were clear; I joined the localizer and we landed normally. We were both pretty frustrated when we arrived at the gate. I've been to tys numerous times at night and have never had this happen.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: EMB-145 Captain reported a GPWS event due to proximity to tall radio towers while on approach to TYS.

Narrative: When we checked on with TYS Approach; the controller acknowledged us and told us to report the field. I'd estimate we reported it 12-15 miles out. My MFD was on 12 mile range. We were then cleared for the visual to 23L and also cleared to land at the same time. My plan was to intercept the localizer between GOODL and RKYTP. We were descending at about 1700-2000 FT/min; as it's a well-known fact that Atlanta center tends to leave you high into TYS. Also; I was trying to get on the ground because I had a very bad stomach ache from some hotel food earlier in the day and thought it was a real possibility I was going to be sick. I was aware that there are two very tall towers in the area that are roughly the same height as the intercept altitude of 2;800 feet over RKYTP. They are somewhat hard to see as they kind of blend in with the city lights below; especially at night. I had what I believed to be them in sight to my right and remember commenting on how tall they are. At that exact moment; we received a GPWS warning to pull up for an obstacle. It all happened very fast; but I immediately complied! I also executed a turn to the left; as they appeared as a red dot to the right of the aircraft position on my MFD. I think our altitude was 3;200 or 3;300 when we received the GPWS activation. Once it said we were clear; I joined the localizer and we landed normally. We were both pretty frustrated when we arrived at the gate. I've been to TYS numerous times at night and have never had this happen.

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.