E/GPWS Warning and missed approach, involving a SAAB 340B VH-OLL, 7 km north of Wynyard Airport, Tasmania on 13 May 2015

Section 21 (2) of the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003 (TSI Act) empowers the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) to discontinue an investigation into a transport safety matter at any time. Section 21 (3) of the TSI Act requires the ATSB to publish a statement setting out the reasons for discontinuing an investigation.

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On 19 May 2015, the ATSB commenced an investigation into an EGPWS warning and missed approach involving a SAAB 340B, VH-OLL, 7 km north of Wynyard Airport, Tasmania on 13 May 2015.

Approaching Wynyard, the crew elected to conduct a Sector A, GNSS Arrival procedure followed by a circling approach onto runway 27.

After passing the final approach fix and still on descent in visual conditions, the PF turned the aircraft onto a right downwind for runway 27. Moments later the crew received an EGPWS TERRAIN warning and they elected to conduct a missed approach. The crew re-briefed and conducted the VOR-Z Runway 27 approach and landed without incident.

The ATSB reviewed the FDR data and interviewed the crew. The data revealed that the EGPWS rate of closure spiked as the aircraft crossed the coast during the manoeuvre onto the right downwind leg. The coastline at Wynyard has a raised landmass known as Table Cape with several masts located on top of the feature.

All approaches were conducted well within guidelines and the crew acted appropriately in regard to the missed approach. As there were no safety issues identified, the ATSB has decided to discontinue its investigation.