EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory
Chart Or Publication; Airspace Structure; Procedure
While on radar vectors for an ILS for Runway 33; in IMC; ATC issued a vector and a descent to 5;500 ft. in the vicinity of terrain charted at 4;056 feet southwest of the Runway 33 approach course. Simultaneous with leveling off at 5;500 feet; we received a ground proximity warning for terrain. The autopilot was immediately disconnected and a climb was initiated. Almost immediately the ground proximity warning went away and ATC asked us to stop the climb at 6;000 feet for traffic holding overhead. New climb and vector instructions were given and we continued with an uneventful approach and landing. As soon as we received the ground proximity warning was received an immediate climb was initiated and the warning went away immediately. It's hard to say with absolute certainty on a cause. Our descent rate was between 1000 to 1300 FPM; so it wasn't drastic by any means and we were in radar contact with ATC. It seems that we were within seconds of likely never even getting a warning as we were leveling off as it happened. We reacted in accordance with making sure the airplane climbed and the ground proximity warning went away. A vector away from the highest terrain in the area would've almost certainly meant we never would've got the ground proximity warning. Left or right around that particular mountain would be best.
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EMB-145 flight crew reported that ATC vectored them towards terrain; resulting in a GPWS warning.