ASRS 2085583
ACN 2085583 · 2024-02 · Small Aircraft, High Wing, 1 Eng, Fixed Gear
PUB Tower Controller reported issuing a low altitude alert to a night VFR arrival that entered the pattern below minimum safe altitude, resulted in a CFTT event.
Pilot narrative
Verbatim, de-identified by NASA. Placeholders: ZZZ,
X, Y.
Aircraft X called up VFR from the north and requested a full stop taxi back. I instructed Aircraft X to enter a left downwind for Runway 8R. Aircraft X continued inbound. As Aircraft X was approaching the PUB radar and turning to join the downwind I noticed that the aircraft appeared very low. I checked the tower radar display and observed the aircraft at 4,900 ft. I issued a low altitude alert to Aircraft X and issued the PUB Altimeter and traffic pattern altitude. Aircraft X climbed back to a safe altitude and landed safely. The ATIS was out of service when this happened but I don't believe it played into this incident. MSAW did not activate because the aircraft was VFR. Suggestion: Pilots should be aware of their altitude and the different hazards associated with night flight.
NASA classification · Anomalies
- Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural
- Inflight Event / Encounter
NASA classification · Assessments
- Contributing Factors / Situations
- Human Factors
- Primary Problem
- Human Factors
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 ↗