Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Distraction; Situational Awareness; Workload
Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT; Inflight Event / Encounter Unstabilized Approach
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors; Procedure
Descending into FAI. Cleared for Visual Approach Runway 20R. Night. We had an underlayed ILS approach; tuned ILS frequencies; plus the runway in the descent page for the vertical bearing. [We were] commencing the visual approximately twenty miles northwest of FAI; gear down; speed 230 KTS. I noticed we were getting toward the optimum three degree approach path. Flaps were deployed on schedule. The air was very still and very cold - conducive to a high descent. In a snap of a finger we were low. I stated to the First Officer we were low. At that moment we got a 'Caution Terrain' alert from the EGPWS and I noted at the same instant a portion of the Terrain Display; where were we at; went to a solid amber color. At the moment we got the aural alert the First Officer aggressively applied power and climbed; stabilized; then made a normal landing. The cause was not monitoring the vertical descent in reference to terrain and the runway. Despite the fact I had a tuned ILS; FMC Guidance; it still happened.
An Air Carrier crew on approach to FAI Runway 20 at night in cold weather; got an EGPWS Terrain Warning; aggressively added power; returned to the glideslope and completed a normal landing.