Gulfstream V / G500 / G550
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 60; Flight Crew Total 9300; Flight Crew Type 1200
Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Human Factors
During a circling night approach from runway 26L to runway 15R. Pilot flying did not line up properly with the runway resulting in a go around. Towers were noted off the nose of the aircraft at which time I commanded 'pull up' pull up; pull up hard!' The tower controller gave us the choice of coming back around for a visual to runway 33L.  The subsequent landing was performed uneventfully.
Night visual to runway 26L. ATC asked if we would like a visual approach to runway 15L. As pilot flying I told first officer yes. Flew north of runway 26R and thought I had the approach end of runway 15R in sight. Had first officer tune ILS runway 15R and set OBS to 149 course. Had proper indications and used glide path for reference. Runway lights appeared to be on low setting and I realized I didn't have runway in sight after all. At approximately 400 feet first officer said go around and climb was initiated by me. Runway lights were now turned to high setting and I entered a left downwind for landing on runway 33L as offered by the tower. I shouldn't have accepted a circling approach clearance at night when the best option was a straight in visual approach with full ILS guidance. I will never again accept a night time circling approach when a straight in approach is available.
G550 flight crew describes a night circling approach that is allowed to get very low before realizing that the intended runway is not in sight. Towers are noted by the First Officer off the nose of the aircraft as he calls for a; 'Pull up; pull up hard.'