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C172 pilot reports GPS malfunction during vectors for an approach and an attempt to switch to a handheld unit; resulting in an altitude deviation.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 853203 |
| Time | |
| Date | 200909 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | IMC |
| Light | Dusk |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Final Approach |
| Route In Use | Vectors |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | GPS & Other Satellite Navigation |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 74 Flight Crew Total 834 Flight Crew Type 95 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence |
Narrative:
While being vectored on final approach the GPS malfunctioned and the approach course disappeared. A handheld back up GPS was the only aid available. I dropped below the minimum altitude as I tried to figure out a course of action. ATC informed me that I had dropped below the minimum altitude for the approach course. Instead of declaring a problem; I opted to handle it on my own. I was able to complete the flight and break out at minimums and land the plane. In retrospect; I should have declared an emergency or requested help from the ATC. I should have gone missed; entered a hold; re-assessed the situation and then initiated the approach again or gone to an alternate.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: C172 pilot reports GPS malfunction during vectors for an approach and an attempt to switch to a handheld unit; resulting in an altitude deviation.
Narrative: While being vectored on final approach the GPS malfunctioned and the approach course disappeared. A handheld back up GPS was the only aid available. I dropped below the minimum altitude as I tried to figure out a course of action. ATC informed me that I had dropped below the minimum altitude for the approach course. Instead of declaring a problem; I opted to handle it on my own. I was able to complete the flight and break out at minimums and land the plane. In retrospect; I should have declared an emergency or requested help from the ATC. I should have gone missed; entered a hold; re-assessed the situation and then initiated the approach again or gone to an alternate.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.