Narrative:

Just after aircraft passed over hnd at 8;000 feet; heading 120; las approach stated henderson airport position (approximately 3 o'clock and 1 mile). Sic was pilot flying. He stated that he had the airport in sight. I could not see the airport from my seat at this time. I notified approach that we had the airport in sight. Approach cleared us for the; 'visual 17R left traffic.' pilot flying turned to a northerly heading which placed us on a left downwind for 17R. Airport elevation is 2;500 feet; so we were approximately 5;500 feet AGL. Pilot flying began a descent for landing. During this downwind leg; approach requested that we turn right to a southerly heading. I questioned this turn; and approach stated that we were getting too close to mccarran arrivals. Pilot flying executed right turn to a southerly heading. I am unsure of our altitude at this time; but it was approximately 5;000 feet. I stated that our primary concern at this time was terrain. Pilot flying stated that a climb was necessary due to high terrain located east of hnd. He began a climb. We were cleared by approach to enter left traffic for 17R. Passing the highest area of terrain we received one brief egpws warning of; 'terrain; pull up.' I estimate that we were between 1;000 and 2;000 feet above terrain. Pilot flying entered a left downwind for 17R. Approach now requested that we stay within 3 miles of hnd during our visual approach. We were handed off to tower and cleared to land 17R. After landing; the flight attendant informed me that the lead passenger was upset due to this unusual approach. He asked me what happened and I informed him that I would speak to ATC and find out. I called hnd tower on the radio and received a phone number for a las TRACON supervisor. This supervisor stated that we did nothing wrong as we were cleared for a visual approach. He also stated that he spoke with the ATC controller that was working our flight. I asked what the controller expected us to do. The supervisor felt that perhaps she expected us to turn right after passing hnd and do a teardrop entry into a long downwind starting south of hnd. This would have been a better option in order to give us more time to lose altitude; but I felt that the controller's initial clearance suggested a left turn to enter a left downwind. I would like to see a procedure developed that allows for a visual approach to hnd runway 17R that takes into account both the high terrain and mccarran airspace. Also; it would help crews and ATC if expectations were more clearly stated.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A small jet received an EGPWS TERRAIN; PULL UP alert at 5;000 feet on base leg to HND after ATC requested they remain within 3 miles of the airport.

Narrative: Just after aircraft passed over HND at 8;000 feet; heading 120; LAS Approach stated Henderson Airport position (approximately 3 o'clock and 1 mile). SIC was pilot flying. He stated that he had the airport in sight. I could not see the airport from my seat at this time. I notified Approach that we had the airport in sight. Approach cleared us for the; 'Visual 17R Left Traffic.' Pilot flying turned to a northerly heading which placed us on a left downwind for 17R. Airport elevation is 2;500 feet; so we were approximately 5;500 feet AGL. Pilot flying began a descent for landing. During this downwind leg; Approach requested that we turn right to a southerly heading. I questioned this turn; and Approach stated that we were getting too close to McCarran arrivals. Pilot flying executed right turn to a southerly heading. I am unsure of our altitude at this time; but it was approximately 5;000 feet. I stated that our primary concern at this time was terrain. Pilot flying stated that a climb was necessary due to high terrain located east of HND. He began a climb. We were cleared by Approach to enter left traffic for 17R. Passing the highest area of terrain we received one brief EGPWS warning of; 'Terrain; pull up.' I estimate that we were between 1;000 and 2;000 feet above terrain. Pilot flying entered a left downwind for 17R. Approach now requested that we stay within 3 miles of HND during our visual approach. We were handed off to Tower and cleared to land 17R. After landing; the Flight Attendant informed me that the lead passenger was upset due to this unusual approach. He asked me what happened and I informed him that I would speak to ATC and find out. I called HND Tower on the radio and received a phone number for a LAS TRACON Supervisor. This Supervisor stated that we did nothing wrong as we were cleared for a visual approach. He also stated that he spoke with the ATC controller that was working our flight. I asked what the Controller expected us to do. The Supervisor felt that perhaps she expected us to turn right after passing HND and do a teardrop entry into a long downwind starting south of HND. This would have been a better option in order to give us more time to lose altitude; but I felt that the Controller's initial clearance suggested a left turn to enter a left downwind. I would like to see a procedure developed that allows for a visual approach to HND Runway 17R that takes into account both the high terrain and McCarran airspace. Also; it would help crews and ATC if expectations were more clearly stated.

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.