Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 250; Flight Crew Total 10294; Flight Crew Type 6712
Communication Breakdown; Distraction; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Company Policy; Environment - Non Weather Related; Chart Or Publication; Procedure
After operating into Puerto Plata; Dominican Republic for the first time; I am left wondering why this is not a Special Qualifications airport. Specifically; my major concern is not the large ridgeline southwest of the airport; but rather the small isolated mountain located to the immediate north side of the final approach into runway 08 (about 7 miles west of the field). This terrain rises approximately 700 feet above the aircraft altitude when passing abeam on the RNAV-08 approach. Page MDPP 12-1 has a black arrow pointing at a terrain symbol there; and the airport 10-7 page states only 'Terrain' under Special Comments. I feel this is wholly inadequate to describe the threat to a pilot unfamiliar with the airport. Should a late running flight ever arrive at MDPP after dark ever make the mistake of not flying the complete RNAV approach; this terrain lies almost exactly between the STAR terminating fix EMIVO and a normal five mile visual approach entry point. Additionally; very poor ATC services tend to increase the workload of a crew approaching MDPP. For example; the approach control radios are the worst I have ever heard in my career. They are not strong enough to break through the normal squelch settings at times; even when close to the airport. Also; tower apparently will not clear an aircraft to land until it reports a two mile final (or runway in sight); a practice which does not work well with a 710 ft DDA. We were also later cleared to back taxi on a runway with a 737 heading toward us on takeoff roll. Again; to be clear; my point here is that we need to provide more information regarding the terrain north of the runway 8 final approach course.
Air carrier Captain unfamiliar with MDPP noted that because of high terrain west of the airport; a pilot could fly the Runway 8 RNAV/GPS Arrival then fly from EMIVO direct to Runway 8 and pass 0.72 miles from the highest point.