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Heavy transport aircraft captain reported being assigned the SMUKE2 STAR to ind without a runway transition; resulting in confusion.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1696270 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201910 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZID.ARTCC |
| State Reference | IN |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Heavy Transport |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Descent |
| Route In Use | STAR SMUKE2 |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Captain Pilot Not Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy |
Narrative:
Aircraft X was filed for the SMUKE2 RNAV STAR to ind; which was landing runways 23L and 23R. Indianapolis center clearance was 'descend via SMUKE2 arrival landing southwest.' in the case of the GIIBS2 arrival; 'landing southwest' would be sufficient. However; on the SMUKE2; the routing for runway 23L and 23R diverge at fiire; to an east and west downwind; respectively. A proper descend via clearance for the SMUKE2 would be 'descend via the SMUKE2 arrival; runway 23L (or 23R).' 'southwest' is insufficient guidance for the SMUKE2 arrival; and in the event of lost communication; the flight crew and ATC would be unsure what routing to follow based on the assigned; vectored; expected; filed hierarchy. Note 4 on the SMUKE2 arrival page states to expect a descend via clearance with landing direction from center and a landing runway from approach. I questioned the clearance with indy center who replied that 'everyone else' does it. I requested clarification as to the routing after fiire; and center took us off the arrival and assigned direct vhp VOR and 11;000 feet. This is potentially a normalization of deviance; and is certainly poor STAR implementation where crews are cleared to descend to an altitude (6;000 feet); but beyond their known routing. Descend via procedures need to be linked to a specific routing in the event of lost communications.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: Heavy Transport aircraft Captain reported being assigned the SMUKE2 STAR to IND without a runway transition; resulting in confusion.
Narrative: Aircraft X was filed for the SMUKE2 RNAV STAR to IND; which was landing Runways 23L and 23R. Indianapolis Center clearance was 'Descend via SMUKE2 arrival landing southwest.' In the case of the GIIBS2 arrival; 'landing southwest' would be sufficient. However; on the SMUKE2; the routing for Runway 23L and 23R diverge at FIIRE; to an East and West downwind; respectively. A proper descend via clearance for the SMUKE2 would be 'descend via the SMUKE2 arrival; Runway 23L (or 23R).' 'Southwest' is insufficient guidance for the SMUKE2 arrival; and in the event of lost communication; the flight crew and ATC would be unsure what routing to follow based on the Assigned; Vectored; Expected; Filed hierarchy. Note 4 on the SMUKE2 arrival page states to expect a descend via clearance with landing direction from Center and a landing runway from approach. I questioned the clearance with Indy Center who replied that 'everyone else' does it. I requested clarification as to the routing after FIIRE; and Center took us off the arrival and assigned direct VHP VOR and 11;000 feet. This is potentially a normalization of deviance; and is certainly poor STAR implementation where crews are cleared to descend to an altitude (6;000 feet); but beyond their known routing. Descend via procedures need to be linked to a specific routing in the event of lost communications.
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.