FAA Instrument Flight Instructor (FII)Instrument RegulationsMedium
While flying a nonprecision approach in IMC, a pilot reaches the MDA and cannot identify any of the visual references required by 91.175(c)(3) for the runway environment. According to 14 CFR 91.175(e), what action is the pilot required to take?
- AContinue level at MDA until reaching the missed approach point, then decide
- BDescend an additional 100 feet below MDA to attempt to acquire visual contact
- CImmediately execute the appropriate missed approach procedure
- DCircle at MDA until weather conditions improve
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Immediately execute the appropriate missed approach procedure
Under 14 CFR 91.175(e), a pilot must immediately execute the missed approach procedure when the required visual references are not distinctly visible and identifiable at the MDA or DA, or if visibility becomes less than the minimum prescribed. Delaying the decision or descending below MDA without references violates the regulation.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Delaying the missed approach without visual references is not permitted by the rule.
- B. Descending below MDA without required references is a regulatory violation.
- D. Circling at MDA without proceeding to missed approach is not an authorized option.
Missed Approach Trigger (91.175(e))
A pilot must immediately execute the missed approach procedure if required visual references are not present at the MDA/DA or the MAP, or if visibility drops below minimums.
- Applies at DA for precision approaches and MDA for nonprecision
- No level-off delay is authorized once conditions require a miss
- Also applies if visibility becomes less than published minimums en route
- Also applies to circling if the airport is not distinctly visible
Memory trick: 'No sight, no delay' — see nothing, go missed now.