Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure; Chart Or Publication
At AVL we had been vectored across final and then back around to the final approach course; near the FREEZ intersection. Conditions were completely clear with great visibility. We had briefed the airport qualification pages; and had talked about the terrain and possibility of GPWS alerts. We were level at 5;100 feet; on autopilot; and received an audible 'terrain; pull up' and had a red 'gnd prox' appear on the PFD. I disengaged the autopilot and began to execute the terrain escape maneuver; and the warning disappeared almost immediately. I had climbed to 5;300 ft during the maneuver. We contacted ATC to notify of the alert and altitude deviation; and the controller replied that the minimum vectoring altitude in that area was 5;100 feet. I slowly returned to 5;100 ft and we continued being vectored onto the visual approach without further issue. Marginal distance from terrain set off the GPWS. It appears that the MVA takes us within 951 feet of the highest obstacle in the area; a small radio tower just north of FREEZ. Executed terrain escape maneuver; per company procedures. It appears the MVA of 5;100 may be insufficient in that area; recommend at least 5;200 feet.
Air carrier Captain reported experiencing a GPWS Alert on approach to AVL.