Small Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Workload; Confusion; Situational Awareness; Distraction
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Procedure; Chart Or Publication; Environment - Non Weather Related
Just after aircraft passed over HND at 8;000 feet; heading 120; LAS Approach stated Henderson Airport position (approximately 3 o'clock and 1 mile).  SIC was pilot flying.  He stated that he had the airport in sight.  I could not see the airport from my seat at this time.  I notified Approach that we had the airport in sight.   Approach cleared us for the; 'Visual 17R Left Traffic.'  Pilot flying turned to a northerly heading which placed us on a left downwind for 17R.  Airport elevation is 2;500 feet; so we were approximately 5;500 feet AGL.  Pilot flying began a descent for landing.  During this downwind leg; Approach requested that we turn right to a southerly heading.  I questioned this turn; and Approach stated that we were getting too close to McCarran arrivals.  Pilot flying executed right turn to a southerly heading.  I am unsure of our altitude at this time; but it was approximately 5;000 feet.  I stated that our primary concern at this time was terrain.  Pilot flying stated that a climb was necessary due to high terrain located east of HND.  He began a climb.  We were cleared by Approach to enter left traffic for 17R.  Passing the highest area of terrain we received one brief EGPWS warning of; 'Terrain; pull up.'  I estimate that we were between 1;000 and 2;000 feet above terrain.  Pilot flying entered a left downwind for 17R.  Approach now requested that we stay within 3 miles of HND during our visual approach.  We were handed off to Tower and cleared to land 17R.  After landing; the Flight Attendant informed me that the lead passenger was upset due to this unusual approach.  He asked me what happened and I informed him that I would speak to ATC and find out.  I called HND Tower on the radio and received a phone number for a LAS TRACON Supervisor.  This Supervisor stated that we did nothing wrong as we were cleared for a visual approach.  He also stated that he spoke with the ATC controller that was working our flight.  I asked what the Controller expected us to do.  The Supervisor felt that perhaps she expected us to turn right after passing HND and do a teardrop entry into a long downwind starting south of HND.  This would have been a better option in order to give us more time to lose altitude; but I felt that the Controller's initial clearance suggested a left turn to enter a left downwind.  I would like to see a procedure developed that allows for a visual approach to HND Runway 17R that takes into account both the high terrain and McCarran airspace.  Also; it would help crews and ATC if expectations were more clearly stated.
A small jet received an EGPWS TERRAIN; PULL UP alert at 5;000 feet on base leg to HND after ATC requested they remain within 3 miles of the airport.