B727 on vector to slc maintaining 9000 ft has GPWS alert. Deviate from altitude to cancel the GPWS.

Attributes
ACN	360110
Time
Date	199702
Day	Fri
Local Time Of Day	1801 To 2400
Place
Locale Reference	airport : slc
State Reference	UT
Altitude	msl bound lower : 9000 msl bound upper : 9000
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : slc
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	Large Transport, Low Wing, 3 Turbojet Eng
Flight Phase	descent : approach
Route In Use	enroute : on vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : second officer
Qualification	pilot : instrument pilot : commercial pilot : flight engineer
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 200 flight time total : 6300 flight time type : 4000
ASRS Report	360110
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : atp
Events
Anomaly	altitude deviation : excursion from assigned altitude inflight encounter other
Independent Detector	aircraft equipment other aircraft equipment : unspecified
Resolutory Action	flight crew : exited adverse environment flight crew : took evasive action
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Air Traffic Incident	other

Narrative:

We were on a vector to intercept localizer on runway 34L in IMC at 9000 ft when GPWS activated. We immediately initiated a climb. Apparently the MVA in this area is too low to avoid GPWS alerts. It is an uncomfortable experience in the WX and at night with the terrain in the area.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B727 ON VECTOR TO SLC MAINTAINING 9000 FT HAS GPWS ALERT. DEVIATE FROM ALT TO CANCEL THE GPWS.

Narrative: WE WERE ON A VECTOR TO INTERCEPT LOC ON RWY 34L IN IMC AT 9000 FT WHEN GPWS ACTIVATED. WE IMMEDIATELY INITIATED A CLB. APPARENTLY THE MVA IN THIS AREA IS TOO LOW TO AVOID GPWS ALERTS. IT IS AN UNCOMFORTABLE EXPERIENCE IN THE WX AND AT NIGHT WITH THE TERRAIN IN THE AREA.

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.