Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Communication Breakdown; Time Pressure; Workload
Deviation - Speed All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Unstabilized Approach
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew FLC Overrode Automation
Aircraft; Human Factors; Procedure
As expected and previously briefed New York approach initially assigned us ILS 4R. Descending through 10;000 we picked up ice and changed to the already requested ice speeds. Approximately 30 miles from the airport New York Approach said now to expect RNAV (GPS-Y) 4R. I was flying and since we were below 10;000 feet and close to the airport; I requested the First Officer to load and brief the approach. As the First Officer was briefing the approach; I thought that I should add how the vertical guidance would be flown; but never followed through on that and never briefed it. We completed the runway/approach change items on checklist. Other aircraft had been cleared for the RNAV (GPS-Z) 4R we discussed that and confirmed that the RNAV (GPS-Y) 4R was the correct approach for us. During the approach I initially used Flight Path Angle (FPA) for vertical guidance; but then switched to VNAV; but at FAF I did not switch back to FPA. At 1;000 feet AGL and the runway in sight I called runway in sight; disconnected auto pilot; called for set missed approach altitude. With the vertical mode still in VNAV; as the First Officer 'set the missed approach altitude' the autothrottles started driving forward and our speed picked up 20 knots. At this time I disengaged the autothrottles and the First Officer selected FPA. We continue the approach verified we are stable at 500 feet and made a normal landing on Runway 4R.In the future I will make sure to brief how the approach will be flown in both lateral and vertical mode; especially when flying RNAV approaches. If there is any doubt I will reference the approach charts in the SOP during the briefing. This will verify what both pilots will expect during the approach.
Air carrier Captain reported recovery from a near unstable approach after a change from ILS to RNAV approach to EWR airport.