Widebody; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 130; Flight Crew Total 25000; Flight Crew Type 3000
Situational Awareness; Confusion
Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory
Human Factors
Descending into ABQ from the east at 10;000 feet I called the airport in sight and asked for and accepted the visual approach to rwy 3. I was monitoring the terrain via radar and altimeter and continued my descent gradually noting a clear path ahead after crossing what I believed to be the last ridge line. I intentionally delayed commencing my descent to final approach fix alt (7400 ft) until crossing the ridge line area approximately 10 mi east of the field. I had intentionally slowed to approximately 225 kts to limit high speed descent/closure rates over the area terrain. As I extended the speed brakes and began to descend passing approx. 8500 ft the EGPWS went off. Caution terrain immediately followed by pull-up. I commenced the CFIT maneuver and as the power and nose came up the warnings ceased. After ensuring we were clear of terrain I resumed normal flight to the visual approach rwy 3 and landed uneventfully. In reviewing this event in my mind I recalled extending the speed brakes earlier in the descent to slow to 225 kts in the attempt to avoid and prevent the high descent rates once in terrain. During the recovery and as my FO backed me up on procedures I realized that the speed brakes were extended. I do not recall if the speed brakes had remained extended from the initial descent or from the final descent to the field. In any case the speed brakes extended probably exacerbated the situation. This event is haunting to say the least.
On our descent into ABQ; out of 8500 ft; we had an EPGWS alert. The captain was flying; he executed the recovery and we concluded that it was from a high descent rate. We then continued with the visual approach and landed uneventfully. As for the fatigue issue; I had a hard time sleeping before the flight.
Air carrier flight crew received an EGPWS while descending into ABQ from the east on a visual approach to Runway 3.