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Air carrier captain reported being cleared for a visual approach to runway 4 at elp and commencing descent only to discover that terrain was between the aircraft and the runway. The terrain was cleared and the approach was continued.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1323138 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201512 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ELP.Airport |
| State Reference | TX |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Night |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Widebody Low Wing 3 Turbojet Eng |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Initial Approach |
| Route In Use | Visual Approach |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Captain Pilot Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT |
Narrative:
Cleared for visual approach [runway 4]; started to descend. Realized terrain was between our position and the runway. Climbed to safe altitude. Cleared terrain. Continued to safe landing. Instead of following instrument procedures; even though in VMC; I looked out to the runway and began a visual descent. Terrain was between us and runway. Always use instrument procedures; even under visual conditions; when terrain can be a factor; or when unfamiliar with an airport.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: Air carrier Captain reported being cleared for a visual approach to Runway 4 at ELP and commencing descent only to discover that terrain was between the aircraft and the runway. The terrain was cleared and the approach was continued.
Narrative: Cleared for visual approach [Runway 4]; started to descend. Realized terrain was between our position and the runway. Climbed to safe altitude. Cleared terrain. Continued to safe landing. Instead of following instrument procedures; even though in VMC; I looked out to the runway and began a visual descent. Terrain was between us and runway. Always use instrument procedures; even under visual conditions; when terrain can be a factor; or when unfamiliar with an airport.
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.