Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Rotorcraft
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 180; Flight Crew Total 11933; Flight Crew Type 5239
Situational Awareness; Confusion
Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Environment - Non Weather Related; Chart Or Publication; Airspace Structure
While [we were] being vectored for the VOR 9 Approach at Lakeland Linder Regional (LAL) airport. On the left base leg vector; the pilot-controlled lighting was keyed up. The crew observed a brightly illuminated runway in the correct relative position with an East/West orientation. During the final approach course intercept at the initial approach fix altitude with runway alignment and raw data displaying on course (096 degrees). The pilot flying intercepted a normal visual glide path and began a descent to the MOA and runway. Upon realizing the DME did not cross check with the location; an immediate missed approach was conducted. At approximately 1;000 FT AGL; as a simultaneous 'Low Altitude' warning was issued from Tampa Approach; an initial climb and heading clearance was given. Subsequently; radar vectors were given for another VOR 9 approach into Lakeland. The crew completed a normal approach and uneventful landing at Lakeland. Suggest in the LAL/LAL VOR 9 chart briefing strip; a remark of: 'Plant City Airport may be mistaken for Lakeland Regional Airport due to similar runway alignment.'
The Reporter stated that the PCM lighting was activated almost simultaneously with them activating the LAL lighting. That event and the crew's inexperience on LAL approaches lead to the error. Also the fact that the two airport's runways are oriented almost identically and they are only eight miles apart contributed to the confusion.
[Narative #2 had no additional information.]
An Air Carrier crew confused PCM for LAL on a night VOR Runway 9 approach and executed a go around simultaneously with an ATC low altitude alert when they realized the airport identification error.