Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure; Airport
On arrival into ICT we were cleared down to 3;000 FT for a visual to 19R. The airport was insight and we got cleared for a visual approach. The Captain as the pilot flying selected 2;000 FT in the MCP. A shallow descent was initiated. I called out towers that were on our left and right on the approach into 19R. The Captain leveled off having the towers insight. A little later the GPWS warning 'obstacle' with pull up alerted us about the towers. A climb was started in VFR conditions all while being well clear of the towers. Climb power was added and no parameters were exceeded. A write up was entered into the logbook by the Captain at the gate in Wichita. The Captain also called the Duty Officer to inform them and to make sure nothing else was needed. This could have been prevented by remaining at 3;000 FT until glide slope intercept and following the glide slope to the runway.
Accepted a visual clearance from Approach Control to 19R coming in from the east. [I] started a descent from 3;000 FT MSL to 2;000 FT MSL to establish myself on around a 4 mile final to 19R. First Officer called out a radio tower at approximately 11 o'clock; and I acknowledged and kept it insight. Passing around 2;500 FT; with the tower at the 10 o'clock position; received an 'Obstacle' warning from the EGPWS. Since the tower was in sight at all times; I started a shallow climb that resolved the conflict and turned off the electronic warning. No engine or aircraft parameters were exceeded; a write up was entered in the logbook and the Duty Officer was contacted.I probably accepted a clearance to a visual early from approach. I should have stayed higher on the descent profile and not been so aggressive with the visual traffic pattern. First Officer back-up was invaluable with maintaining the threat in sight and then resolving the conflict. Lesson learned is to take vectors to final more readily when tired and flying into an unfamiliar field.
Air Carrier flight crew reports accepting a visual approach to Runway 19R at ICT from the east and descending early; causing an EGPWS alert with the towers in sight that likely caused the warning.