Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Unstabilized Approach
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings; Human Factors; Aircraft
[I] was cleared for GPS 25L approach into DVT. Approach was going smoothly. [I] was not able to get LPV on GPS. At the MDA I thought I saw the airport. I began to descend early. I then saw the correct lights 2 miles ahead. I was VFR at this time and remained so. [I was] still above the lower LPV minimums but below LNAV minimums for the approach. I really thought I was looking at the airport lights when I began to descend. Terrain was visible and well marked so I stayed where I was. I really wish I had a good answer for this. We just do not fly enough in actual IFR. I was much sharper under 121 flying than I am today. Two pilots would have helped although I know unrealistic for 99.9 percent of the flying that we do.
Air Taxi pilot reports flying the RNAV Runway 25L approach to DVT using LNAV minimums due to WAAS being unavailable for unknown reasons. The approach is continued below minimums when the runway is thought to be sighted; although this turns out to be incorrect and a normal landing ensues.