Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30.2; Flight Crew Total 1957; Flight Crew Type 142
Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Human-Machine Interface
Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors; Weather; Aircraft
Flying in IMC conditions we were routed around the Portland airspace for a landing at HIO RNAV approach to [Runway] 13. While on an assigned heading to intercept the [Runway] 13 approach the aircraft flew through the inbound leg and continued west. Shortly thereafter the autopilot disengaged. I took over the aircraft and began the process of reprogramming the FMS as the guidance to the RNAV 13 was no longer active. The aircraft was in the landing configuration so flaps; landing gear and power settings had to be managed at the same time. I was also aware that there was terrain ahead. Being a single pilot the workload was very high. The conditions at 3;500 FT were IMC with heavy rain at times. I re-programmed the FMS (a complicated job in this aircraft) to an approach to [Runway] 13 at HIO. I turned right to reconfigure a landing to [Runway] 13. The Controller gave me a right turn heading to avoid the terrain. Maintaining aircraft control while performing radio and avionics tasks was a challenge. I was able to re-align the aircraft to intercept the inbound to [Runway] 13 and the rest of the approach was uneventful.
PC12 pilot describes an RNAV approach to HIO in rain and turbulence that does not go as planned with the aircraft not intercepting the final approach course and continuing west toward high terrain. ATC issues a turn back; the FMS is reprogrammed; and a successful approach ensues.