Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
ATIS reported to expect the visual to Runway 16. A visual approach was loaded and briefed including obstacle clearances and a pattern altitude of 3;700 FT 5-8 NM prior to SUG; ATC cleared us direct KEANS [direct] AVL. This would place us 5 NM from the runway with a 145 degree turn to final. We were cleared from 10;000 FT MSL to 6;000 FT MSL. Between 10-15 NM from the airport; ATC requested if we had the field in sight in which we acknowledged. We were cleared for a visual approach. We selected heading mode to give us a downwind; base and final. The downwind to base would take us in proximity to a 2;645 FT depicted tower. Other obstacles were considered outside our vertical and lateral paths. We were in terrain mode. We selected 3;700 FT and began a descent from 6;000 FT. Between 4;000 FT-4;300 FT we received a GPWS 'Terrain; Terrain; Pull-Up'. This was in day visual conditions with terrain and obstacle clearly in sight. We took positive corrective action until the GPWS warning/alert stopped and terrain clearance was assured. We advised ATC after we had landed. Although terrain clearance was visually assured; the mountainous terrain caused the GPWS to activate. The descent rate was less than 1;500 FPM trending to 1;000 FPM.
The Captain stated that being that it was day visual conditions this would be acceptable; but in no way would we do a visual if it were night due to the terrain.Recommend vectors onto the LOC runway 16 or full procedure because a visual to 16 requires the mountain range to the east to be flown over at an altitude or rate that may cause a GPWS warning/alert.
CRJ-200 flight crew reported receiving a GPWS 'Terrain' warning on visual approach to AVL Runway 16.