Flight crew reported ATC issued a low altitude alert while they were on base leg for a visual approach.
Synopsis
Flight crew reported ATC issued a low altitude alert while they were on base leg for a visual approach.
Narrative
We were on a left downwind for runway 28. With the airport in sight; we were cleared for the visual. The flying pilot (First Officer); set 2100 ft; minimum crossing altitude at TILLE; in the altitude window and initiated an open descent while turning base. Once level; the tower mentioned they got a low altitude alert and asked if we were stable. I said we were and noticed the radio altimeter read approximately 900 ft. due to the rising terrain to the south of the airport. We did not receive any GPWS warnings. We continued on the visual; backed up by the ILS to runway 28 and landed without incident.The flight was 4 hours late and SYR is an unfamiliar airport. I think I have been there one other time.I definitely think there needs to be some additional information in the company pages alerting crews to the terrain to the south when conducting visual approaches. Reference ZZZ company general page; very similar situation there. Also; I very often see pilots enter a bottom altitude such as a FAF altitude when cleared for a visual and initiate an open descent even when we are below a descent path that would keep us at a higher altitude. Example is descending to a FAF altitude when below a glide path. The reason minimum class B altitudes are busted at ZZZ1. My personal opinion is this is not an ideal 'technique' even though it may be safe and legal. I also recommend the use of managed automation 100% of the time if possible and the use of charted flight paths when not on a vector. I think more time should be devoted to visual approaches in recurrent training.
Second reporter narrative
We were vectored for the visual 28 backed up by the ILS at night. I was PF (Pilot Flying). Cleared the visual; I descended to 2100 ft; 1700 ft. above field level outside of TILLE on left base. I was referencing the plan view of the ILS 28 for obstacles. Looking back; I should have stayed at either the MSA (Minimum Safe Altitude) or the vectoring altitude. I don't recall possibly 3;000 ft. until established on the localizer or at least getting the PAPI in sight. We were landing at XA30L which is near the primary window of circadian low. I will do a better job of briefing the MSA; descent plan and terrain especially at night.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.