Narrative:

We had briefed the visual for 16R; backed up by the ILS to 16R. We were cleared for the visual approach; and to maintain 210 knots. A [B737] flight ahead of us; also cleared for the visual approach; started to slow rapidly. Denver tower slowed us to 170 knots; which we did. We were then instructed to slow to 150 knots; which we did. About the time we slowed to 150 knots; approximately 8 miles from the runway; we received a descending RA. I looked out of my window; and saw a turboprop flying just off of our wingtip. The aircraft appeared to be lined up for 16L; and continued to fly parallel to our flight path; not getting any closer or further away. The descending RA continued. When we were about 1 dot below the glide slope the first officer started to level off to recapture the glideslope. I commented that we still had an RA; and he returned to the RA escape maneuver. I turned the transponder to TA; but the escape maneuver still displayed that a descent was necessary. We were descending at around 1500 feet per minute; less than 2500 feet above the ground. After some discussion; we decided to ignore the RA; as to continue would result in ground contact somewhat short of the runway. Around 1100 feet above the ground; we flew into the 'red descend' zone on the TCAS escape maneuver; and re-intercepted the glideslope. Eventually; the aircraft landing on 16L slowed; and the RA escape maneuver disappeared. We never received a 'clear of conflict' message.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A320 flight crew reported receiving a 'Descend' RA on approach to DEN that commanded a steep descent until approximately 800 feet AGL.

Narrative: We had briefed the visual for 16R; backed up by the ILS to 16R. We were cleared for the visual approach; and to maintain 210 knots. A [B737] flight ahead of us; also cleared for the visual approach; started to slow rapidly. Denver Tower slowed us to 170 knots; which we did. We were then instructed to slow to 150 knots; which we did. About the time we slowed to 150 knots; approximately 8 miles from the runway; we received a descending RA. I looked out of my window; and saw a turboprop flying just off of our wingtip. The aircraft appeared to be lined up for 16L; and continued to fly parallel to our flight path; not getting any closer or further away. The Descending RA continued. When we were about 1 dot below the glide slope the First Officer started to level off to recapture the glideslope. I commented that we still had an RA; and he returned to the RA escape maneuver. I turned the transponder to TA; but the escape maneuver still displayed that a descent was necessary. We were descending at around 1500 feet per minute; less than 2500 feet above the ground. After some discussion; we decided to ignore the RA; as to continue would result in ground contact somewhat short of the runway. Around 1100 feet above the ground; we flew into the 'red descend' zone on the TCAS escape maneuver; and re-intercepted the glideslope. Eventually; the aircraft landing on 16L slowed; and the RA escape maneuver disappeared. We never received a 'clear of conflict' message.

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.