Date: 201205
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: TUS.Airport, AZ
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Night
Aircraft: Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Initial Approach
Airspace: Class C TUS
ATC / advisory: TRACON U90
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; First Officer
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Commercial
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Training / Qualification; Confusion; Situational Awareness
Second reporter function: Captain; Pilot Not Flying
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control; Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Contributing factors: Manuals; Environment - Non Weather Related; Chart Or Publication; Airport; Procedure
Primary problem: Ambiguous

Narrative: We crossed MAVVA at 11;000 on the DINGO 5 arrival for TUS Runway 11L. Controller issued [us] direct to CALLS descend to 7;000 FT. Approximately half way to CALLS at about 7;500 the Controller asked if we had the field; I could see the field perfectly and answered yes; Controller cleared us for the visual to 11L. I set 5;000 in the altitude alerter for CALLS and continued on the previous track to CALLS. I was set up to level off at 5;000 FT approximately 2 miles prior to CALLS (planning to level off; finish slowing and configure flaps 20 by CALLS). At approximately 5;200 FT and 2 miles prior to CALLS we got the terrain warning. I immediately canceled autopilot and pitch up 10 degrees and added power to climb to 6;500 FT. Just as I started to climb the Controller called and said we were a low alt alert and that the MVA for that location was 5;900 FT. problems solved we cleared CALLS at 5;900 FT and landed with no further issues. I NEVER LOST SIGHT OF THE AIRPORT! It was a dark night the terrain was just another dark spot amongst the other lights and dark spots. I had NO way of knowing that the MVA was 5;900 FT. We briefed a VISUAL and only backed it up with the LOC frequency and the approach starting at CALLS. I was completely unaware of the terrain that is right under the approach path. I did not study the approach plate to 11L prior to this event I was on a visual with the field in sight and because of the CAVU felt no need to make a full brief that one would make if they were performing a complete ILS approach in weather. After talking with the Captain; I more than agree we need to have a note in the 10-7 communicating the tribal knowledge of the MVA and the terrain at this and all the airports. Also I plan to make a full approach (ILS or whatever) into all night approaches as the terrain is unseen to stay on the safety of proven routes and altitudes. I would suggest that this become a policy as well.


Second narrative: I would suggest sending a one-time bulletin to all of our pilots about the hills on ILS final to 11L at TUS. Include a short article in the Quarterly Bulletin about the hills on ILS final to 11L at TUS. Add a comment to the 10-7 describing the hills (small mountains) just to the right (about 1/2 mile) of and only about 1;000 FT below the glide path for ILS 11L at TUS.  Add the requirement for TUS Approach Control the advised crews of the hills and tower just to the right of the ILS final to 11L at TUS. I'll make sure I review approach plates more carefully in the future even though I'm on a visual approach.


Synopsis: A CRJ200 on a night visual to TUS Runway 11L received an EGPWS Terrain Warning at about 5;200 FT 2 miles prior to CALLS and executed the escape maneuver just as ATC called to notify them about that location's 5;900 FT MVA.