Date: 201903
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ELP.Airport, TX
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Large Transport
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Flight phase: Initial Approach
ATC / advisory: TRACON ELP
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; First Officer
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Human factors: Situational Awareness
Second reporter function: Pilot Flying; Captain
Anomaly: Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Detector: Automation Aircraft Terrain Warning
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Contributing factors: Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure; Human Factors
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: While on approach to El Paso; we originally planned and set up for the RNAV Y Approach. We got vectored off the arrival due to traffic and ATC asked if we would like the visual to Runway 8. The Pilot Flying indicated that he would like the visual to Runway 8; and so we accepted it. The Pilot Flying programmed and briefed the visual approach. The runway centerline extension extends over the mountainous terrain located west of the airport; and the vertical profile gets awfully close to the terrain. I indicated that I think we need to fly a little south of the course to avoid the high terrain. The Captain; Pilot Flying; indicated that he had the terrain and antennas insight that are on top of the mountain and that he would stay a little high on the profile and once clear of the terrain and obstacles descend quickly back on profile. We both had all the terrain insight and the GPWS terrain map initially indicated all green. As we approached the terrain; the GPWS map quickly turned yellow and an 'Obstacle; Pull Up' warning sounded. I responded saying pull up and the Pilot Flying complied. Within a second or two of the 'Pull Up' we were clear of the hazard and preceded with the visual approach since it was day VMC conditions. The remainder of the approach and landing were uneventful and we always had sight of the terrain.I think some notes on the airport pages with some guidance on conducting visual approaches to Runway 8 would be helpful. I have never seen this approach conducted from this direction; but based off the visual picture; I suspected we may get a GPWS warning. I should have been more assertive when I mentioned that we need to go south around the terrain before intercepting the approach course. After the Pilot Flying and I debriefed the event; we both agreed the best/safest course of action was to just stay on the original RNAV Approach to Runway 4.


Second narrative: We were cleared for the visual approach to [Runway] 8R El Paso; we were in VMC and briefed the terrain and were aware of the radio antennas; [but] we flew south of course. As the Pilot Flying I must have returned to centerline too early as we received an obstacle warning; we initiated a slight climb which cancelled the warning then returned to a visual descent to the runway; we were stable and configured by 1;000 feet and landed uneventfully.


Synopsis: Air carrier Captain and First Officer reported a GPWS warning causing the Pilot Flying to take evasive action.