A320
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 170; Flight Crew Total 24550; Flight Crew Type 15790
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure
ATC vectors to ILS 19L. On base leg vector at 5000' we were given clearance to descend to 3100' on a heading of 160 degrees to intercept 19L localizer and once established cleared to descend to 2800' until SHAKE. We were a couple miles southwest of BERKS (15 DME ISIA) when given turn to intercept. At about 3100' just prior to LOC intercept we received a GPWS warning for terrain. I disconnected the autopilot and executed the GPWS escape maneuver. We climbed to about 5000' and continued to intercept the localizer and reloaded the approach. We notified ATC and once clear of the terrain warning and acquiring the runway; we continued the approach for a normal landing. We made visual contact with the airport just outside of SHAKE.
3100 feet near BERKS is approximately 1000 feet above the terrain but well below the 5000 foot altitude on the approach plate. We were surprised to get the warning but complied as we were night IMC. The whole event lasted just a few seconds.
A320 flight crew reported they received a GPWS terrain warning on a night visual approach to SFO Runway 19L.