2023-02 · NASA ASRS report 1976681
A319 flight crew reported receiving a low altitude alert from ATC while on a visual approach.
This narrative is in regard to an approach into ZZZ XXR. I was the PM on Aircraft X ZZZ1 to ZZZ. We were vectored on a right base at 2000 ft. for a visual backed up by the ILS V XXR. Approach initially asked for the visibility into ZZZ to ascertain if visibility was sufficient to proceed with a visual approach. I stated that the visibility was between 7 to 10 NM. We were initially cleared for the ILS V XXR and shortly thereafter my First Officer (FO) Pilot flying (PF) stated they were visual with the field and would like the visual to XXR. I relayed to Approach and we were subsequently cleared for the visual to XXR. Shortly after being cleared for the visual I mentioned that 1500 ft. would keep us within the Class B airspace. Rolling out on final a thin cloud layer had developed; obscuring the field. In an attempt to maintain visual with the field my FO (PF) selected an approximately 1100 FPM rate of descent followed almost immediately by the Airbus altitude horn. At approximately 1500 ft. I realized that the altitude in the window had been rolled down to 100 ft. At which point I (PM) stated 'you're low; level off.' The lowest altitude I noted real-time was approximately 1100 ft. MSL. I then called for a climb to 1500 ft. to re-establish ourselves in the Class B. Within a few seconds of initiating a level off and subsequent climb we received a low altitude alert from ZZZ Approach. After leveling off at 1500 ft. the configuration and remainder of the approach was unremarkable. Weather (marginal conditions for a visual approach); complacency; decision-making; assertiveness. As Captain and PM I should have encouraged the PF to stick with the ILS approach. I also should have been quicker to recognize 100 ft. being set in the altitude paired with a call to climb sooner.
This narrative is in regard to an approach into ZZZ XXR. I was the Pilot flying (PF) on Aircraft X ZZZ1 to ZZZ. We were vectored on a right base at 2000 ft. for a visual backed up by the ILS V XXR. Approach initially asked us for the visibility at ZZZ to verify we had the visibility to proceed with a visual approach. The PM correctly stated that the visibility was between 7 to 10 NM. We were initially cleared for the ILS V XXR and shortly thereafter I stated I had the field in sight and could accept the visual to XXR. The PM let Approach know and we were subsequently cleared for the visual to XXR. Shortly after being cleared for the visual the PM stated 1500 ft. would keep us within the Class B airspace. Rolling out on final a thin cloud layer had developed; obscuring the field and in my attempt to maintain visual with the field and not enter the clouds; I selected an approximately 1100 RPM rate of descent followed almost immediately by the altitude horn. At or below 1500 ft. I was able to remain clear of the clouds and leveled off as the PF called to level off. The PM then called for a climb to 1500 ft. to re-establish ourselves in the Class B; which I corrected for ASAP. Within a few seconds of initiating a level off and subsequent climb; we received a low altitude alert from ZZZ Approach. After leveling off at 1500 ft. and re-establishing our visual status with the field; the remainder of the approach was conducted per standard operating procedures. First; I should have told the PM we would simply continue with the ILS rather than try to accept a visual we had not discussed at that point on the approach. Additionally; when I accepted the visual approach; I should have entered the Class B altitude of 1500.
More incidents for this aircraft family
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
Loading the flight search…
Pick an aircraft model — Boeing 737, Airbus A320, A380, Boeing 787 Dreamliner and more — enter your origin airport, and FlightFinder shows every route that plane flies from there with live fares.
We support Boeing 737/747/757/767/777/787, the full Airbus A220/A319/A320/A321/A330/A340/A350/A380 family, Embraer E170/E175/E190/E195, Bombardier CRJ and Dash 8, and the ATR 42/72 turboprops.
Search and schedules are free. Pro ($4.99/month, $39/year, or $99 one-time lifetime) unlocks the enriched flight card — on-time stats, CO₂ per passenger, amenities, live gate & weather — plus My Trips with push alerts.
Live schedules come from Amadeus, AeroDataBox and Travelpayouts. Observed routes (which aircraft actually flew a given city pair) are crowdsourced from adsb.lol ADS-B data under the Open Database License.