Medium Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory
Weather; Airport; Environment - Non Weather Related
While descending for ILS 34 AVL at approximately 6;500 MSL and starting the turn to line up with final; we received a single terrain GPWS alert; 'TERRAIN.' I initiated the terrain avoidance procedure and immediately the warning ended. The runway was in sight and we could see no other threats so the descent was continued and a normal approach and landing was made. The wind was blowing approximately 25-35 KTS over the hills creating a rough ride and some strong up and downdrafts. Descending into a rising terrain airport and high winds can create conditions that cause the GPWS to activate. Even though we were confident we knew where we were and why the alert happened we initiated the terrain avoidance procedure. I would continue to follow the train avoidance as we did; even though we were confident we knew where we were; we could be wrong. The accident in Cali proved that.
An air carrier crew executed the GPWS escape maneuver after a momentary TERRAIN warning at 6;500 FT but; when it ceased; they then returned to the descent profile for the AVL ILS Runway 34 approach.