Large Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Total 11583
Distraction; Fatigue; Troubleshooting
Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Human Factors; Airport
I was pilot monitoring. We were cleared for River Visual Approach to runway 19 at DCA. FO had visual on the river and began the approach. Aircraft was on the path. Told to contact tower and I went heads down to switch over and get landing clearance. When I looked back up we were below the path and descending. Just as I directed a correction we got a GPWS terrain warning. FO disconnected the autopilot and started correcting back to the descent path. I also directed a turn to the left to continue following the river. We configured the aircraft and he was slightly below the path at 1000 ft and correcting. At 500 ft he was stable and following the VASI guidance. Landing was uneventful.
I was flying the aircraft; the Captain Pilot monitoring (PM). Was given the River Visual 19; which I had flown many times. Given descent to 3000 prior to FERGI LVL CHG; no problem reaching 3000 feet prior to FERGI ALT HOLD; was gear down flaps15 prior to FERGI and fully configured by GREYZ. CLEARED for RIVER VISUAL; Captain set 600 ft in altitude window and started down on visual (10 miles vis). Our descent rate got a little high on way point after SETOC which set off the TERRAIN ALERT; Approach called us at almost the same exact time with a TERRAIN ALERT. Added power (disconnected auto pilot) immediately and climbed turning slightly away from RESTRICTED AREAS P-56A/B until a safe altitude to re-established on PAPIs landing uneventful. I didn't feel that tired; but fatigue had to have been a player landing at midnight; last two nights were short and all late flights. I had only received about 6.5 to 7 hours of sleep woke twice; once someone at my door. Should have called in FATIGUE. Inside outside scan broke down a bit after SETOC got a little low setting off TERRAIN ALERT because of sky scrapers. Get proper amount of sleep and call in FATIGUED when you don't get it.
Flight crew of a large transport jet reported going below glide path on approach into DCA resulting in a GPWS warning. After correcting the flight landed normally.