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In the process of trying to correct to the proper flight path on an approach; the flight crew was issued a low altitude alert by air traffic control. After taking corrective action and stabilizing the approach; a safe landing was accomplished.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1285256 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201508 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | DEN.Airport |
| State Reference | CO |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Medium Large Transport |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Final Approach |
| Route In Use | Visual Approach |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | First Officer |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 141 Flight Crew Total 8000 Flight Crew Type 2000 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | ATC Issue All Types Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT Inflight Event / Encounter Unstabilized Approach |
Narrative:
VNAV and LNAV did not engage at the transition resulting in being high at the transition. ATC gave us a vector for a visual approach; but no descent clearance. Auto pilot disconnects causing a distraction.we were now trying to descend get to a proper flight path; rearm the approach and prepare to land. My visual perspective appeared to be high on final due to the airport physical features.we were issued a low level altitude alert by the tower. We leveled caught the VASI and we were configured and stable well above a 1;000 feet MSL.we landed safely and taxied to the gate.I feel a late notice from ATC indicating what transition was being used caused us to be in a hurry to select it in the FMC. We must have had a disconnect in our arrival but now had to turn the aircraft in a hurry. The auto pilot disconnect added confusion; then we needed to descend rapidly in order to get back to profile and configure for landing.it was an unfamiliar arrival added to an unfamiliar approach coupled by things not falling into the usual sequence. Earlier ATC clearances would have allowed more time to properly verify the FMC.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: In the process of trying to correct to the proper flight path on an approach; the flight crew was issued a low altitude alert by air traffic control. After taking corrective action and stabilizing the approach; a safe landing was accomplished.
Narrative: VNAV and LNAV did not engage at the transition resulting in being high at the transition. ATC gave us a vector for a visual approach; but no descent clearance. Auto pilot disconnects causing a distraction.We were now trying to descend get to a proper flight path; rearm the approach and prepare to land. My visual perspective appeared to be high on final due to the airport physical features.We were issued a low level altitude alert by the Tower. We leveled caught the VASI and we were configured and stable well above a 1;000 feet MSL.We landed safely and taxied to the gate.I feel a late notice from ATC indicating what transition was being used caused us to be in a hurry to select it in the FMC. We must have had a disconnect in our arrival but now had to turn the aircraft in a hurry. The auto pilot disconnect added confusion; then we needed to descend rapidly in order to get back to profile and configure for landing.It was an unfamiliar arrival added to an unfamiliar approach coupled by things not falling into the usual sequence. Earlier ATC clearances would have allowed more time to properly verify the FMC.
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.