An air carrier crew confused pcm for lal on a night VOR runway 9 approach and executed a go around s...

Attributes
ACN	998956
Time
Date	201203
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	LAL.Airport
State Reference	FL
Environment
Flight Conditions	Mixed
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Large Transport Low Wing 2 Turbojet Eng
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Route In Use	Vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Rotorcraft
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 180 Flight Crew Total 11933 Flight Crew Type 5239
Person 2
Function	First Officer Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Commercial Flight Crew Instrument
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20 Flight Crew Total 1200 Flight Crew Type 200
Events
Anomaly	Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Track / Heading All Types

Narrative:

While [we were] being vectored for the VOR 9 approach at lakeland linder regional (lal) airport. On the left base leg vector; the pilot-controlled lighting was keyed up. The crew observed a brightly illuminated runway in the correct relative position with an east/west orientation. During the final approach course intercept at the initial approach fix altitude with runway alignment and raw data displaying on course (096 degrees). The pilot flying intercepted a normal visual glide path and began a descent to the MOA and runway. Upon realizing the DME did not cross check with the location; an immediate missed approach was conducted. At approximately 1;000 ft AGL; as a simultaneous 'low altitude' warning was issued from tampa approach; an initial climb and heading clearance was given. Subsequently; radar vectors were given for another VOR 9 approach into lakeland. The crew completed a normal approach and uneventful landing at lakeland. Suggest in the lal/lal VOR 9 chart briefing strip; a remark of: 'plant city airport may be mistaken for lakeland regional airport due to similar runway alignment.'

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An Air Carrier crew confused PCM for LAL on a night VOR Runway 9 approach and executed a go around simultaneously with an ATC low altitude alert when they realized the airport identification error.

Narrative: While [we were] being vectored for the VOR 9 Approach at Lakeland Linder Regional (LAL) airport. On the left base leg vector; the pilot-controlled lighting was keyed up. The crew observed a brightly illuminated runway in the correct relative position with an East/West orientation. During the final approach course intercept at the initial approach fix altitude with runway alignment and raw data displaying on course (096 degrees). The pilot flying intercepted a normal visual glide path and began a descent to the MOA and runway. Upon realizing the DME did not cross check with the location; an immediate missed approach was conducted. At approximately 1;000 FT AGL; as a simultaneous 'Low Altitude' warning was issued from Tampa Approach; an initial climb and heading clearance was given. Subsequently; radar vectors were given for another VOR 9 approach into Lakeland. The crew completed a normal approach and uneventful landing at Lakeland. Suggest in the LAL/LAL VOR 9 chart briefing strip; a remark of: 'Plant City Airport may be mistaken for Lakeland Regional Airport due to similar runway alignment.'

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 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.

An air carrier crew confused pcm for lal on a night VOR runway 9 approach and executed a go around simultaneously with an ATC low altitude alert when they realized the airport identification error.