DC10-30 crew got a GPWS 'terrain' warning at 5000 ft in IMC, in the rain, in N90 class B airspace.

Attributes
ACN	564138
Time
Date	200210
Day	Wed
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	airport : ewr.airport
State Reference	NJ
Altitude	msl bound lower : 5000 msl bound upper : 5500
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Weather Elements	Rain
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	DC-10 30
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	descent : approach
Route In Use	arrival : on vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : atp
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 100 flight time total : 11500 flight time type : 1500
ASRS Report	564138
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : first officer
Qualification	pilot : atp
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 100 flight time total : 9000 flight time type : 800
ASRS Report	564141
Events
Anomaly	aircraft equipment problem : critical inflight encounter : weather inflight encounter other other anomaly other
Independent Detector	aircraft equipment : gpws other flight crewa other flight crewb
Resolutory Action	flight crew : took evasive action other
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Aircraft FAA Company Weather
Primary Problem	Aircraft

Narrative:

While being vectored by new york approach, level at 5000 ft, we received clearance to turn to 120 degrees. We read back 'right to 120 degrees.' after approximately 30 seconds, approach control asked if we were in a turn. We responded that we were 'heading 120 degrees.' approach controller said 'turn to 210 degrees, and make it tight.' we turned to 210 degrees. Once on the 210 degree heading. While in IMC, the captain's radio altimeter started to descend. While it descended, we got a 'GPWS alert' of 'too low, terrain.' we climbed to 5500 ft, at which time the advisory ceased. We advised new york approach of the climb, and GPWS advisory. We descended back to 5000 ft. The remainder of the flight was uneventful.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: DC10-30 CREW GOT A GPWS 'TERRAIN' WARNING AT 5000 FT IN IMC, IN THE RAIN, IN N90 CLASS B AIRSPACE.

Narrative: WHILE BEING VECTORED BY NEW YORK APCH, LEVEL AT 5000 FT, WE RECEIVED CLRNC TO TURN TO 120 DEGS. WE READ BACK 'R TO 120 DEGS.' AFTER APPROX 30 SECONDS, APCH CTL ASKED IF WE WERE IN A TURN. WE RESPONDED THAT WE WERE 'HDG 120 DEGS.' APCH CTLR SAID 'TURN TO 210 DEGS, AND MAKE IT TIGHT.' WE TURNED TO 210 DEGS. ONCE ON THE 210 DEG HDG. WHILE IN IMC, THE CAPT'S RADIO ALTIMETER STARTED TO DSND. WHILE IT DSNDED, WE GOT A 'GPWS ALERT' OF 'TOO LOW, TERRAIN.' WE CLBED TO 5500 FT, AT WHICH TIME THE ADVISORY CEASED. WE ADVISED NEW YORK APCH OF THE CLB, AND GPWS ADVISORY. WE DSNDED BACK TO 5000 FT. THE REMAINDER OF THE FLT WAS UNEVENTFUL.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 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.