A flight crew approaching phf briefed the ILS runway 7 but a new ATIS advised localizer/DME runway 2...

Narrative:

While on localizer DME 20 approach into kphf; descended to MDA altitude of 500 ft prior to roboy; which specified an altitude of 760 ft. Newport news tower issued a low altitude alert. We remained at 500 ft with no ground proximity warnings with the airport environment in sight and made a normal landing. Air traffic control advised us of a low altitude condition. Upon reviewing the approach procedure after landing; we determined that a critical step down fix had been missed. While en route to newport news; the ATIS advised to expect the ILS to runway 7. The ILS 7 was briefed and programmed into the FMS. Just prior to contacting norfolk approach; a new ATIS was received which advised to expect the localizer to 20. The new approach was quickly located and programmed while receiving vectors to the final approach course. The roboy fix was not included on the FMS course depiction and was inadvertently missed during the approach brief. The final vector and clearance to execute the localizer DME approach to 20 was received nearly at the final approach fix; which required us to rapidly configure the aircraft. We made a normal descent from 1;700 ft at the FAF to the MDA of 500 ft. (420 adjusted) upon arrival at the MDA; newport news tower issued a low altitude alert; which we heeded by visually examining the terrain and the depiction on the egpws. The airport environment and runway were in sight at the time of the alert and a normal landing was accomplished. After arriving at the gate; we re-checked the approach and determined that we had inadvertently missed the step down fix of roboy. Taking more time to brief an approach that is suddenly thrust upon us; by reviewing the procedure more thoroughly and requesting delay vectors if necessary to accomplish it.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A flight crew approaching PHF briefed the ILS Runway 7 but a new ATIS advised LOC/DME Runway 20. During a rushed approach brief; the crew failed to set the step down altitude for ROBOY and descended to the MDA early.

Narrative: While on Localizer DME 20 approach into KPHF; descended to MDA altitude of 500 FT prior to ROBOY; which specified an altitude of 760 FT. Newport News Tower issued a low altitude alert. We remained at 500 FT with no ground proximity warnings with the airport environment in sight and made a normal landing. Air traffic control advised us of a low altitude condition. Upon reviewing the approach procedure after landing; we determined that a critical step down fix had been missed. While en route to Newport News; the ATIS advised to expect the ILS to runway 7. The ILS 7 was briefed and programmed into the FMS. Just prior to contacting Norfolk Approach; a new ATIS was received which advised to expect the Localizer to 20. The new approach was quickly located and programmed while receiving vectors to the final approach course. The ROBOY fix was not included on the FMS course depiction and was inadvertently missed during the approach brief. The final vector and clearance to execute the Localizer DME approach to 20 was received nearly at the final approach fix; which required us to rapidly configure the aircraft. We made a normal descent from 1;700 FT at the FAF to the MDA of 500 FT. (420 adjusted) Upon arrival at the MDA; Newport News Tower issued a low altitude alert; which we heeded by visually examining the terrain and the depiction on the EGPWS. The airport environment and runway were in sight at the time of the alert and a normal landing was accomplished. After arriving at the gate; we re-checked the approach and determined that we had inadvertently missed the step down fix of ROBOY. Taking more time to brief an approach that is suddenly thrust upon us; by reviewing the procedure more thoroughly and requesting delay vectors if necessary to accomplish it.

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.

Attributes
ACN	888456
Time
Date	201005
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	PHF.Airport
State Reference	VA
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Medium Transport Low Wing 2 Turbojet Eng
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Person 2
Function	Pilot Not Flying First Officer
Events
Anomaly	Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Deviation - Procedural Clearance Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT

A flight crew approaching phf briefed the ILS runway 7 but a new ATIS advised localizer/DME runway 20. During a rushed approach brief; the crew failed to set the step down altitude for roboy and descended to the MDA early.