Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Confusion; Situational Awareness; Workload; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT; Inflight Event / Encounter Unstabilized Approach
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure; Chart Or Publication; Airport; Weather
We were on arrival into SBBR and cleared for the ILS Z Runway 11L Approach. We were subsequently cleared to 5;000 feet by SBBR approach. Shortly after reaching 5;000 feet and just prior to BR003 we responded to a GPWS audible warning which destabilized the approach and necessitated a go-around. We were vectored back and landed uneventfully. Upon review of the incident we all remembered having briefed the minimum altitudes of the approach; but had not caught the departure from SOPs; or the decent below the mandatory 5;500 feet. With 5;000 feet set in the mode control panel and using FL change for the decent we had set ourselves up for error. During the approach on numerous occasions we had had to ask ATC to repeat the clearance sometimes more than once due to quality of transmission; command of the english language; and strong accent. Almost every transmission required at least one 'say again'; and additional verification from all pilots on board before the altitude was even set. I believe a contributing factor was that the area of threat had shifted from what would have been a routine arrival; to concern that we understood and were complying with the most recent ATC transmissions. This would include the obvious 'We all heard five thousand?' query before the altitude was set. Certainly not an excuse; but perhaps better communications with ATC could ameliorate the potential for incidents like this in the future. Of course in all operations verification that all arrival and approach altitude restrictions are complied with regardless of an ATC clearance is required.
[Report Narrative contained no additional information].
An air carrier flight crew on the SBBR RNAV Z 11L was cleared to 5;000 feet by ATC; but received an EGPWS alert because they failed to set the 5;500 foot mandatory altitude crossing at BR003.