Large Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Training / Qualification; Confusion; Situational Awareness
Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory
Chart Or Publication; Human Factors
While on a night visual approach into Reno; we experienced a GPWS pull up command. We intercepted the final course of the ILS DME 16R approach between TAKLE and DICEY intersections. Our flight director altitude window was set for 6400; the glide slope crossing for DICEY intersection. At about 7000 MSL we got a GPWS 'caution terrain' aural alert. With visible city lights on both sides of the aircraft and the runway lights ahead in sight; I initially thought this was a false warning. We then heard the command 'terrain; pull up' command and our training kicked in. The copilot added power and started a climb. I then noticed we were about 2 dots below the ILS glide slope. Once we intercepted the glide slope; we continued with a normal approach and landing the lone 6219' hill under the approach; and mostly obscured on the approach plate; had missed my attention. Even on a visual approach; in a high terrain environment at night; it is better to fly longer but safer instrument procedures.
On the RNO ILS 16R at night; the Captain reported receiving a GPWS 'CAUTION TERRAIN' alert followed by a 'TERRAIN; PULL UP' command. The First Officer responded to the second warning as the Captain noticed that they were descending two dots below the glide slope.