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ASRS 2027067

ACN 2027067 · 2023-08 · Commercial Fixed Wing

Air carrier flight crew reported a radio altimeter "call-out" that contradicted the radio altitude displayed in the cockpit. The flight crew suspected possible 5G radio interference and continued the CAT III approach to a normal landing.

Inflight Weather Encounters Final Approach ComponentPart 121

Pilot narratives

Verbatim, de-identified by NASA. Placeholders: ZZZ, X, Y.

Reporter 1

During the approach, flight crew was actively configuring the aircraft to Flaps 30 and reducing speed to achieve the stable approach criteria by 1000 ft. AGL. However, in the process of introducing our final flaps of 30 degrees, the aircraft made RA call of "One thousand.” However, we looked at our radio altimeter and it read 1200-1300. We confirmed all three barometric altimeters read approximately 1730 MSL. After a brief discussion of a go-around, Captain determined it was safe to introduce flaps 30 at that time 1100-1200 AGL and continue the final items of the landing checklist below 1000 ft. AGL. We later discussed the possibility the Radio Altimeter was experiencing interference. The remainder of the approach was safely flown to a completed landing. Cause- We anticipated the morning low level cloud layer to lift prior to conducting the approach to 36R at CLT. However, the clouds did not lift and the First Officer, with prior discussion, relinquished the flight controls to the Captain on radar downwind. The reason for the exchange was so the Captain could fly the aircraft using CAT III criteria to ensure our arrival into CLT. We later discussed possible Radio Altimeter interference as causal on our delay to call our approach stable just under 1000 ft. AGL. Suggestions- Control Radio Altimeter spectrum interference in the vicinity of CLT airport.

Reporter 2

During the approach, flight crew was actively configuring the aircraft to Flaps 30 and reducing speed to achieve the stable approach criteria by 1000 ft. above ground. However, in the process of introducing our final flaps of 30 degrees, the aircraft made the "One thousand," call. However, we looked at our radio altimeter and it read 1200-1300. After a brief discussion of a go-around, Captain determined it was safe to introduce flaps 30 at that time 1100-1200 RA and continue the final items of the landing checklist below 1000 ft. RA. Cause- We anticipated the morning low level cloud layer to lift prior to conducting the approach to 36R at CLT. However, the clouds did not lift and the First Officer, with prior discussion, relinquished the flight controls to the Captain prior to being vectored onto the final approach course. The reason for the exchange was so the pilot flying could execute a CAT III landing to ensure our arrival into CLT. Suggestions- The event could have been mitigated with a discussion and response to the task before entering the final phases of the descent/approach.

NASA classification · Anomalies

  • Aircraft Equipment Problem
  • Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural
  • Inflight Event / Encounter

NASA classification · Assessments

Contributing Factors / Situations
Aircraft · Environment - Non Weather Related · Software and Automation · Weather · Human Factors
Primary Problem
Aircraft

ASRS reports are voluntary, de-identified by NASA, and represent the reporter's perspective; they are not investigated and cannot be used to infer prevalence. Authoritative source: asrs.arc.nasa.gov ↗