Pilot Incident at LCK Airport: Altimeter Error Highlights Safety Risks
Two pilots, a student and an instructor, recently experienced a critical incident at LCK airport. They received a low altitude alert from Air Traffic Control (ATC) during an instrument approach, highlighting the importance of proper altimeter settings and ATC monitoring at non-towered airports.
The incident occurred when the pilots failed to reset their altimeter to the correct setting (30.16) after receiving new ATIS information. This oversight led to an indicated altitude of 1,220 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL) below the Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA). Fortunately, they immediately executed the missed approach procedure upon receiving the low altitude alert from ATC.
Flying into non-towered airports on instrument approaches without ATC altitude monitoring can be risky. Pilots at such airports may not benefit from ATC warning signals during critical phases of the approach. To prevent such incidents, pilots should update weather information before starting an approach and use the 'frequencies' section of the chart as a mental trigger to ensure the altimeter is set correctly.
The incident serves as a reminder of the crucial role of proper altimeter settings and ATC monitoring during instrument approaches, especially at non-towered airports. Pilots should adhere to standard operating procedures and maintain vigilance to ensure safety.
