Date: 202106
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: ZZZ.ARTCC, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Aircraft: EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Initial Approach
ATC / advisory: CTAF ZZZ; TRACON ZZZ
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Captain
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Time Pressure; Confusion; Training / Qualification
Second reporter function: First Officer; Pilot Not Flying
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Unstabilized Approach
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Procedure
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: Flight was cleared for approach into Runway XX at ZZZ. After noticing the approach was too high; the flight crew executed a go-around and missed approach. The flight crew then tried to re-establish contact with ATC but was not successful. After reaching missed approach altitude the flight crew decided to turn and make left hand traffic for Runway XX; where we made a visual approach and landing while making position reports on the local CTAF frequency. After landing; it was realized that the flight crew could have potentially violated the proper missed approach procedure or additional approach clearances into ZZZ after not being able to contact ATC. After parking at gate; Captain called ATC via phone to cancel IFR.One possible cause could be the relatively rare experience of flying into an uncontrolled field at night and the procedures that are associated with that. There was also some confusion about the type of approach the flight was cleared to execute; in this case; RNAV or visual approach into Runway XX. We believed we were cleared for the visual approach. However; being unable to contact ATC added confusion and doubt to the situation after landing. Flight delays most likely added stress as well.The first suggestion for future experiences would be to be more mindful and diligent about confirming the type of approach we are cleared to execute. This would have clarified the proper procedure when executing a go-around. A second potential solution would have been to gain altitude in order to try and contact ATC. As for the approach; the flight crew could have requested vectors to leave and then rejoin the approach when the aircraft was at a more appropriate altitude before needing to execute the go-around.


Second narrative: After executing the go around; [we] climbed to pattern altitude to make a left traffic pattern instead of executing the published missed approach. [We were] unable to re establish contact with ATC after the go around. [We] did a visual approach to a landing. Crew believed ATC cleared for visual approach; therefore not requiring the published missed approach. [We should] clarify approach clearance with ATC [next time].


Synopsis: Air carrier flight crew reported; after an unstable approach at night to an uncontrolled airport; not executing the published missed approach.