During a nighttime arrival; A320 flight crew experiences GPWS terrain alert when cleared direct to l...

Attributes
ACN	676863
Time
Date	200511
Local Time Of Day	1801 To 2400
Place
Locale Reference	airport : las.airport
State Reference	NV
Altitude	msl single value : 6800
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : l30.tracon tower : zzz.tower
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	A320
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	descent : intermediate altitude descent : approach
Route In Use	arrival star : grnpa
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : first officer
ASRS Report	676863
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Events
Anomaly	non adherence other other spatial deviation
Independent Detector	aircraft equipment : gpws
Resolutory Action	other
Supplementary
Problem Areas	ATC Human Performance Airport
Primary Problem	ATC Human Performance

Narrative:

We were on the grnpa arrival to las at 12000 ft over luxor intersection when ATC gave us a clearance direct to las VOR expect runway 19R. Then we were given a clearance to 6500 ft. I started the descent. The first officer and I agreed it was odd to be given a clearance to 6500 ft that far out. I slowed the descent to 500 FPM and we were going to ask ATC to verify the altitude clearance. At this time; we were approximately 33 mi out approaching 7000 ft. Between 7000 ft and 6700 ft we got the GPWS ('terrain; pull up') warning. I immediately went to toga and pulled back on the stick to climb. The first officer advised ATC that we had a GPWS and were climbing. ATC responded that the MVA was 6400 ft for that area. We asked for a new altitude and were given 6500 ft when able and a heading of 250 degrees. After looking at the 10-1 chart; I saw the high terrain at 5363 ft so the 6400 MVA seemed accurate. Suggestions: I realize this subject has been addressed before; however; I believe las ATC should be notified that when descending us that far out; it could give us a GPWS. Also; it was below the class B airspace. And; I will request to stop at a higher altitude if I'm put in a similar situation.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: DURING A NIGHTTIME ARR; A320 FLT CREW EXPERIENCES GPWS TERRAIN ALERT WHEN CLRED DIRECT TO LAS; DSND TO 6500 FT MSL FROM OVER LUXOR INTXN.

Narrative: WE WERE ON THE GRNPA ARR TO LAS AT 12000 FT OVER LUXOR INTXN WHEN ATC GAVE US A CLRNC DIRECT TO LAS VOR EXPECT RWY 19R. THEN WE WERE GIVEN A CLRNC TO 6500 FT. I STARTED THE DSCNT. THE FO AND I AGREED IT WAS ODD TO BE GIVEN A CLRNC TO 6500 FT THAT FAR OUT. I SLOWED THE DSCNT TO 500 FPM AND WE WERE GOING TO ASK ATC TO VERIFY THE ALT CLRNC. AT THIS TIME; WE WERE APPROX 33 MI OUT APCHING 7000 FT. BTWN 7000 FT AND 6700 FT WE GOT THE GPWS ('TERRAIN; PULL UP') WARNING. I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO TOGA AND PULLED BACK ON THE STICK TO CLB. THE FO ADVISED ATC THAT WE HAD A GPWS AND WERE CLBING. ATC RESPONDED THAT THE MVA WAS 6400 FT FOR THAT AREA. WE ASKED FOR A NEW ALT AND WERE GIVEN 6500 FT WHEN ABLE AND A HDG OF 250 DEGS. AFTER LOOKING AT THE 10-1 CHART; I SAW THE HIGH TERRAIN AT 5363 FT SO THE 6400 MVA SEEMED ACCURATE. SUGGESTIONS: I REALIZE THIS SUBJECT HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BEFORE; HOWEVER; I BELIEVE LAS ATC SHOULD BE NOTIFIED THAT WHEN DSNDING US THAT FAR OUT; IT COULD GIVE US A GPWS. ALSO; IT WAS BELOW THE CLASS B AIRSPACE. AND; I WILL REQUEST TO STOP AT A HIGHER ALT IF I'M PUT IN A SIMILAR SITUATION.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of January 2009 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.

During a nighttime arrival; A320 flight crew experiences GPWS terrain alert when cleared direct to las; descend to 6500 ft MSL from over luxor intersection.