Narrative:

While on approach to el paso; we originally planned and set up for the RNAV Y approach. We got vectored off the arrival due to traffic and ATC asked if we would like the visual to runway 8. The pilot flying indicated that he would like the visual to runway 8; and so we accepted it. The pilot flying programmed and briefed the visual approach. The runway centerline extension extends over the mountainous terrain located west of the airport; and the vertical profile gets awfully close to the terrain. I indicated that I think we need to fly a little south of the course to avoid the high terrain. The captain; pilot flying; indicated that he had the terrain and antennas insight that are on top of the mountain and that he would stay a little high on the profile and once clear of the terrain and obstacles descend quickly back on profile. We both had all the terrain insight and the GPWS terrain map initially indicated all green. As we approached the terrain; the GPWS map quickly turned yellow and an 'obstacle; pull up' warning sounded. I responded saying pull up and the pilot flying complied. Within a second or two of the 'pull up' we were clear of the hazard and preceded with the visual approach since it was day VMC conditions. The remainder of the approach and landing were uneventful and we always had sight of the terrain.I think some notes on the airport pages with some guidance on conducting visual approaches to runway 8 would be helpful. I have never seen this approach conducted from this direction; but based off the visual picture; I suspected we may get a GPWS warning. I should have been more assertive when I mentioned that we need to go south around the terrain before intercepting the approach course. After the pilot flying and I debriefed the event; we both agreed the best/safest course of action was to just stay on the original RNAV approach to runway 4.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier Captain and First Officer reported a GPWS warning causing the Pilot Flying to take evasive action.

Narrative: While on approach to El Paso; we originally planned and set up for the RNAV Y Approach. We got vectored off the arrival due to traffic and ATC asked if we would like the visual to Runway 8. The Pilot Flying indicated that he would like the visual to Runway 8; and so we accepted it. The Pilot Flying programmed and briefed the visual approach. The runway centerline extension extends over the mountainous terrain located west of the airport; and the vertical profile gets awfully close to the terrain. I indicated that I think we need to fly a little south of the course to avoid the high terrain. The Captain; Pilot Flying; indicated that he had the terrain and antennas insight that are on top of the mountain and that he would stay a little high on the profile and once clear of the terrain and obstacles descend quickly back on profile. We both had all the terrain insight and the GPWS terrain map initially indicated all green. As we approached the terrain; the GPWS map quickly turned yellow and an 'Obstacle; Pull Up' warning sounded. I responded saying pull up and the Pilot Flying complied. Within a second or two of the 'Pull Up' we were clear of the hazard and preceded with the visual approach since it was day VMC conditions. The remainder of the approach and landing were uneventful and we always had sight of the terrain.I think some notes on the airport pages with some guidance on conducting visual approaches to Runway 8 would be helpful. I have never seen this approach conducted from this direction; but based off the visual picture; I suspected we may get a GPWS warning. I should have been more assertive when I mentioned that we need to go south around the terrain before intercepting the approach course. After the Pilot Flying and I debriefed the event; we both agreed the best/safest course of action was to just stay on the original RNAV Approach to Runway 4.

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.