A319
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 90; Flight Crew Total 8500; Flight Crew Type 1250
Situational Awareness
Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airport; Human Factors
Prior to descent Captain briefed ILS Runway 8 ABQ and a visual to Runway 21 just in case per ATIS. During descent we got a new ATIS showing only a visual approach to Runway 26 because of the strong winds 250/20. The Captain rebriefed and reloaded the box with a CF of 1;500 AGL 5 miles out. Approach cleared us the visual to Runway 26. We crossed MIERA at 15;000 FT. The Captain slowed and configured early. We monitored the radar altitude and descent profile. We were going through 9;200 FT with a radar altitude of 1;700 FT AGL when Tower called and asked about turbulence. Immediately after I responded Tower called minimum vectoring altitude is 9;200 FT. We were at 9;000 FT. Seconds later we got an EGPWS warning Captain immediately executed the escape maneuver. I looked at our radar altimeter and saw we were climbing and called out 1;500 FT climbing. Captain returned to a stabilized approach and completed the visual approach to Runway 26. Recommend a visual approach procedure for ABQ Runway 26/Runway 21 with radial/DME altitude constraints. We talked about asking control to vector us to a 5 NM final for terrain clearance and we should have done that. Also have a minimum vectoring alt chart for ABQ. I would not recommend a visual to Runway 26 or Runway 21 at night.
A319 First Officer describes a night visual approach to Runway 26 at ABQ that results in an ATC low altitude alert followed quickly by an EGPWS terrain warning. The escape maneuver is initiated until clear then the visual approach is continued to landing. Reporter recommends against night visual approaches to Runway 26.