Narrative:

Upon arrival into atl; we received a visual approach clearance after calling the airport 'in-sight'. We were level at 3000 ft intercepting final approximately 8-9 miles from the runway. I went heads down to the FMS to extend a centerline off the FAF and we both confirmed. Meanwhile; the captain started a descent visually using vertical speed and using outside references. When I finished with the FMS I noticed we were in a descent around 2100 MSL and that we were low. I queried the captain on his altitude; stating we were low. He corrected by clicking off the autopilot; and began a climb back up to the FAF altitude which was around 2700 ft MSL. As he began climbing ATC issued and altitude alert. We acknowledged ATC; continued climbing to a safe altitude; and continued safely to the runway. Since we had visual contact with the airport and all terrain; safety was never compromised.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 First Officer as pilot monitoring; reports the Captain descending below the FAF altitude by 700 feet before reaching it on a visual approach. ATC issues a low altitude alert at the same time the First Officer is pointing out the deviation to the Captain.

Narrative: Upon arrival into ATL; we received a visual approach clearance after calling the airport 'in-sight'. We were level at 3000 ft intercepting final approximately 8-9 miles from the runway. I went heads down to the FMS to extend a centerline off the FAF and we both confirmed. Meanwhile; the Captain started a descent visually using vertical speed and using outside references. When I finished with the FMS I noticed we were in a descent around 2100 MSL and that we were low. I queried the Captain on his altitude; stating we were low. He corrected by clicking off the autopilot; and began a climb back up to the FAF altitude which was around 2700 ft MSL. As he began climbing ATC issued and Altitude Alert. We acknowledged ATC; continued climbing to a safe altitude; and continued safely to the runway. Since we had visual contact with the airport and all terrain; safety was never compromised.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.