Cessna Citation Mustang (C510)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 60; Flight Crew Total 4300; Flight Crew Type 260
Confusion; Situational Awareness
Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Procedure; Human Factors
We were cleared to take off from Runway 25R and maintain visual separation from a departing flight. Per the STAAV4 departure; we climbed to 2;680 FT and then proceeded direct to LEELN. Tower handed us off to Departure just as we arrived at LEELN; initiated our climb to 5;000 FT and our turn to TOMIS. Departure cleared us to 13;000 FT and asked if we were in the turn. We advised we were turning and they asked if we had the terrain in sight. We confirmed we did have the terrain in sight. A few seconds later Departure advised us they had a low altitude alert; and again we confirmed we had the terrain in sight; were turning to the 331 degree track to TOMIS and climbing. Departure gave us a 040 heading; then 070 and cleared us to FL190. Before Departure handed us to LA Center they advised us of a possible pilot deviation and gave us a number to call. We recommend the FAA review the STAAV4 departure which requires aircraft to remain at low altitude for 5-6 miles from the airport; headed toward higher terrain; then an abrupt 77 degree turn which points the aircraft at even higher terrain during the turn. We also recommend the Tower at LAS hand off aircraft to Departure much earlier so Departure can clear them to a higher altitude sooner.
We were issued the following clearance from LAS Clearance Delivery: 'STAAV4 Departure; Dove Creek Transition; then as filed; Squawk XXXX.' As a flight crew; we reviewed the procedure before taxi; noted that the departure was complex; and that things were going to happen very quickly after takeoff. Since we were not given an altitude in the clearance; we briefed that we would fly the altitudes as depicted on the departure.Arriving at Runway 25R; Las Vegas Tower instructed us to 'line up and wait; and report the departing airliner ahead of you.' We verified the Flight Director was active; and re-verified that the initial navigation fixes were set. We taxied into position as instructed and reported the departing traffic in sight. Tower issued our takeoff clearance as 'maintain visual separation from the airliner; cleared for takeoff Runway 25R.' Again; with no altitude clearance given; we re-briefed that we would fly the altitudes described in the procedure. We departed Runway 25R via the STAAV4 Departure; heading 255 degrees and climbed to 2;680 FT as depicted by the procedure; and then made the turn toward the LEELN Intersection. Both the PIC and I started to become concerned; as we estimate that we traveled a lateral distance of 5 miles with no communication from Tower. Tower finally told us to contact Las Vegas Departure simultaneously with our arrival at the required right turn at LEELN Intersection.The confusion of the late handoff to Departure Control; simultaneous to our arrival at LEELN Intersection; caused us to start the turn at the waypoint; rather than before the waypoint.While in the right-hand turn at LEELN; and climbing to 5;000 FT toward the TOMIS Intersection; as depicted in the procedure; we contacted Las Vegas Departure; who cleared us to an altitude of 13;000 FT. A few seconds later; the Departure Controller asked if we were in the turn. We reported that we were in the turn. A few seconds later the Departure Controller issued at Low Altitude Alert; gave us an assigned heading of 040 degrees and asked if we could see the mountain right ahead us. At this point; the mountain was on the left side of the aircraft; not ahead of us; and we had a clear view of the terrain. No unusual maneuvering was necessary to keep separation. We replied that the mountain is in sight; maintaining visual separation. The Controller then issued a new heading of 070 degrees and then cleared us direct to the TRALR Intersection. After a few minutes the Departure Controller advised of a possible pilot deviation; asked us to copy a phone number to call when we land; and then handed us off to Los Angeles Center.
C510 flight crew reports departing on the STAAV4 from LAS and crossing all of the waypoints at the depicted altitude. In the process ATC issues a low altitude alert and a phone number to call after landing.