Air carrier flight crew reported receiving a low altitude alert from OMA Tower during approach. Crew leveled off; regained the glide path; and landed.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported receiving a low altitude alert from OMA Tower during approach. Crew leveled off; regained the glide path; and landed.
Narrative
We received a low altitude alert from OMA tower while performing a visual approach to runway 14R. The alert occurred right after joining the localizer. The first officer was the pilot flying and he briefed a localizer approach since the glideslope was out of service. When we were cleared for the approach he hit the APP button instead of the LOC/ VNAV which led to confusion when he dialed the altitude down to touchdown zone rounded up to the nearest 100 feet. I failed to verify the FMA's and see the that he hit the wrong button. We received the alert from the tower then leveled off to regain the proper glide path. He clicked off the automation and turned the flight director off and flew the rest of the approach visually. Cause: The pilot flying used the APP button instead of LOC/ VNAV for a localizer approach. I failed to monitor properly and didn't back him up. Suggestions: We failed to brief the LAVS procedure during the approach brief and I should have asked him about them then. I also need to do a better job at backing up my first officer with FMA awareness during the approach.
Second reporter narrative
We received a low altitude verbal alert from OMA tower while performing a visual approach to rwy 14R. The alert occurred just after joining the localizer. The GS was NOTAMed OTS. I briefed the LOC 14R but failed to brief LAVS and when cleared for the visual approach; I selected APP vs LOC. I was confused when the GS never came up. I saw 4 red on the PAPIs and tower told us not to descend. I then clicked off the A/P; leveled off to regain the glideslope. Cause: Failing to brief LAV procedure for LOC; lack of proficiency or study for LOC approach. I should've briefed and executed the RNAV RNP approach when we realized the GS was OTS vs the LOC.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.