Originally Posted by
DOUBLE BOGEY
I just cant get my head around the 200 feet thing and the lack of real response when the RADALT began to kick off. On one hand, it implies they studied the guides and decided that the rocks were nothing and therefore not a problem to fly over. (albeit this being a crass departure from conventional wisdom in any circumstance). However, if they had done the study then surely they would have realised the height of Blackrock.
The RADALT warning came when they passed over the Carraigs. The captain knew what they were. She didn't know that from the guide "plate" because that doesn't have them. She is looking at a moving map which does. The RADALT doesn't only give the warning, it displays what the new radar altitude is. Somewhat less than it was. For a moment, and then goes back to 180 or 200, whatever it was set at.
At the warning point, and given she has correctly analyzed the reason, what would you have her do? You say crew error, so at this point, what does she do?
She incorrectly assumed that was BLKMO, which doesn't jive with the distance to waypoint info. If she is looking at a map which shows the two little Carraigs, surely that map has Blackrock as well, although as the report says, depending which map is up on the display, it may contain anywheres from no to the correct information re the altitude of Blackrock.
The Carraigs didn't show on radar, so not a big deal if they were overflown. Blackrock may or may not have shown on radar, and the large target may have been the Achill coast about 3 miles away. The crewman saw an island. It wasn't a radar return. What should she have done?
BLKMO: A geographic point on the Operator’s Route Guide at which the
arrival into Blacksod was to commence; it is
close to Black Rock.