B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
No Specific Anomaly Occurred All Types
General None Reported / Taken
Chart Or Publication
The Reno Special Operations 10-7B chart says:'During IMC operations to 16L and 16R; use the following guidance to ensure single engine climb capability in the event of an instrument missed approach commenced at decision height. This applies for all instrument approaches:SINGLE ENGINE GO-AROUND - Fly the published missed approach - Level off and clean up at 6200ft MSL - After clean up; continue climb at flaps up maneuvering speed'Having recently flown some -800 heavyweight single-engine go-arounds from decision height in the simulator; I have some concerns about the guidance in the second bullet above - 'level off and clean up at 6200ft MSL.' This procedure can put you very close to high terrain. Referencing perhaps the most commonly flown approach at Reno; the ILS Z or LOC Z Runway 16R Approach Plate 11-1; you'll notice that ZAKBI is the first fix on the missed approach procedure. It is roughly eight miles south of the center of the airport. ZAKBI is located nearly over; perhaps a couple thousand feet east; of a 6274 foot peak. This peak is depicted on the Reno ILS 34R 11-5 Approach Plate just south and west of step-down fix CALEG; and is likely the reason for the 6800ft restriction on that approach until passing CALEG. The issued guidance to level off and clean up at 6200ft MSL; 74ft below the highest terrain in close proximity to the missed approach flight path; presents an obvious safety concern. Perhaps the guidance on the Reno 10-7B concerning single engine go-around bullet two should be changed to read 'level off and clean up at 6800ft MSL.' This would provide at least 500ft clearance above the terrain near ZAKBI. It may also be wise to include a crossing restriction at ZAKBI of 'at or above 6800'' on the ILS Z 16R missed approach procedure and on any other chart ZAKBI is utilized. This restriction would be similar to the CALEG step down 6800ft restriction on the 34L Localizer Approach; and is appropriate given the two fixes are very close to one another. In the meantime I'd also suggest immediate guidance for crews to NOT level off below 6800ft on a single engine go-around in Reno.
B737 pilot expressed concern about the design of the single-engine go-around procedures at RNO.