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TB20 pilot reports being issued a low altitude alert at 2;500 ft during the RNAV Z runway 28L approach into hwd. When the reporter advises that he is on the approach path the controller advises; 'that's normal for the RNAV Z approach; but we have to give the warning.'
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 974309 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201110 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0601-1200 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | HWD.Airport |
| State Reference | CA |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | IMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Trinidad TB-20 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Final Approach |
| Route In Use | Other RNAV Z Runway 28L |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Single Pilot |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Commercial Flight Crew Instrument |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 8 Flight Crew Total 1020 Flight Crew Type 450 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | ATC Issue All Types |
Narrative:
I was on the hwd RNAV Z [runway] 28L approach (an lpv approach) with needles centered. Weather was solid IMC from 6;500 MSL down to around 600 MSL. At approximately 2;500 ft; the hwd tower controller said; 'caution; low altitude alert! Check your altitude!' this caused a moment of panic and distraction as I double checked the instruments and approach plate. I replied; 'we're showing our path to be right on glideslope.' the controller replied; 'yeah; that's normal for the RNAV Z approach; but we have to give the warning.' although apparently mandated by the rules; this warning was completely unwarranted in this case. It was also very unnerving and extremely distracting during a critical phase of flight; which could cause an accident. This is; of course; exactly the opposite of what the warning is designed to do. Furthermore; unwarranted warnings like this could cause pilots to become 'jaded' and less responsive to warnings that are actually important - like with 'the little boy who cried wolf.' in my view; warnings like this should never be given to pilots on instrument approaches; when the aircraft is within the tolerance of the approach path.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: TB20 pilot reports being issued a low altitude alert at 2;500 FT during the RNAV Z Runway 28L approach into HWD. When the reporter advises that he is on the approach path the Controller advises; 'That's normal for the RNAV Z approach; but we have to give the warning.'
Narrative: I was on the HWD RNAV Z [Runway] 28L approach (an LPV approach) with needles centered. Weather was solid IMC from 6;500 MSL down to around 600 MSL. At approximately 2;500 FT; the HWD Tower Controller said; 'Caution; low altitude alert! Check your altitude!' This caused a moment of panic and distraction as I double checked the instruments and approach plate. I replied; 'We're showing our path to be right on glideslope.' The Controller replied; 'Yeah; that's normal for the RNAV Z approach; but we have to give the warning.' Although apparently mandated by the rules; this warning was completely unwarranted in this case. It was also very unnerving and extremely distracting during a critical phase of flight; which could cause an accident. This is; of course; exactly the opposite of what the warning is designed to do. Furthermore; unwarranted warnings like this could cause pilots to become 'jaded' and less responsive to warnings that are actually important - like with 'the little boy who cried wolf.' In my view; warnings like this should never be given to pilots on instrument approaches; when the aircraft is within the tolerance of the approach path.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.