Date: 202002
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: AVP.Airport, PA
Flight conditions: IMC
Aircraft: Commercial Fixed Wing
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Final Approach
Airspace: Class E ZNY
ATC / advisory: TRACON AVP
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; First Officer
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Situational Awareness; Human-Machine Interface
Second reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Anomaly: Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Detector: Automation Aircraft Terrain Warning; Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew FLC Overrode Automation; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Airspace Structure
Primary problem: Airspace Structure

Narrative: Approach cleared our aircraft to 3;700 feet and gave us a heading to intercept the final approach course. Within 3 miles of intercepting the final approach course our aircraft ground proximity warning system alerted us to a terrain awareness event. Immediately the Captain performed the proper evasive maneuvering by increasing aircraft engines to max power and pitching up to achieve a high rate of climb to avoid any and all terrain. Immediately the terrain warning was silenced we contacted Approach and they informed us that I was at a safe minimum altitude and that I should not have received any terrain warning. We did notice however after debriefing with the Captain that while we were in IMC we crossed over a steep sloping ridge which may have triggered the alert. We believe the ground proximity warning system event was caused by a steep slope in ridge that the aircraft was passing over while intercepting the final approach course. The aircraft was in no eminent danger and evasive maneuvering was taken as a precaution. We do not believe that there is any correct action that should be taken. Approach could possibly make pilots aware of the steep sloping in terrain while vectoring to final if the aircraft is in IMC.


Second narrative: Approach cleared our aircraft to 3700 feet and gave us a heading to intercept the final approach course. Within 3 miles of intercepting the final approach course our aircraft ground proximity warning system alerted us to a terrain warning event. I immediately performed the proper evasive maneuvering by increasing aircraft engines to max power and pitching up to achieve a high rate of climb to avoid any and all terrain. Immediately the terrain warning was silenced. I contacted Approach and they informed me that I was at a safe minimum altitude and that I should not have received any terrain warnings. I did notice however after debriefing with my First Officer that while we were in IMC we crossed over a steep sloping ridge which may have triggered the ground proximity warning system to alert us to even though we were clear of all terrain. There were no injuries or damage to aircraft or property. I believe this ground proximity warning system event was caused by a steep slope in ridge that the aircraft was passing over while intercepting the final approach course. The aircraft was in no imminent danger and evasive maneuvering was taken as a precaution.


Synopsis: Air carrier Flight Crew reported they received a GPWS alert even though they were descending to an appropriate assigned altitude.