Medium Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Communication Breakdown
Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Procedure; Human Factors
Air Carrier X was going to OGG from the southeast. He was at 8;000 descending; number one to the field; with the field in sight. The second aircraft was on a right downwind; level at 4;000. I was vectoring Air Carrier X to take him west and get lateral separation for him to get below the aircraft on downwind. When Air Carrier X was around 5;000 FT; I cleared him to fly heading 330 to join the localizer. The pilot read back the instruction; and then I said; 'Reaching 3;000 cleared visual approach Runway 2.' The pilot read this back as well. Air Carrier X flew right through the localizer. Since there are mountains west of the localizer; I issued a visual approach without questioning the pilot's actions. I just wanted to have him turn away from the mountains. He was at about 3;700 FT and 1 mile west of the localizer when I cleared him for a visual approach. When I switched Air Carrier X to OGG Tower; the pilot informed me that my heading 'had almost sent him into the mountains.' I told the pilot that his clearance had been to fly a 330 heading to join the localizer; then reaching 3;000; he was cleared visual approach. I think the clearance he had taken was heading 330; and then reaching 3;000; cleared for a visual. He had not intended or understood to join the localizer. The pilot should have listened better to my instructions. If he had a question; he should have asked me. I will try to be sure that my clearances are clear and not too complicated. I may have confused the pilot.
HCF Controller described a below MVA event apparently a result of confusion with regard to specifics issued during a visual approach.