Narrative:

Arrival into san was night VFR. Approach procedure had changed several times. We had been filed for shamu 1; were cleared the bayvu 3 for a 27 localizer. We re- requested the shamu 1 with an ILS to 9 approach. ILS to 9 was denied due to [airport] construction. We were then given vectors to a 27 localizer. We were on a right down wind to 27 and given a vector that would intercept the localizer just outside of the IAF (reebo) on a diagonal intercept course. As we were passing abeam the runway; ATC inquired if we had the runway insight. We did and they cleared us for a visual approach. We were about 4000 feet (estimate) and descending. The reebo intercept alt is 2000 feet and my plan was to square the base turn to arrive at reebo wings level inbound at 2000 feet. In order to do this I had to turn left slightly in order to have enough separation to turn back into reebo and be wings level for the crossing and descent. I started my descent to 2000 feet. There was terrain to the left of us; which we both saw and talked about. We passed the highest terrain to the right and turned base leg at 2000 feet. There was never a GPWS terrain warning in the cockpit; ATC never issued a terrain warning; nor was there ever a 1000 foot or 500 foot radar altimeter indication. At some point in the approach we did get the 2500 foot altitude radar call out. We had all terrain in sight; talked about it; did not feel uncomfortable and did not receive any cockpit or ATC warnings. This report is timely due to just receiving notification of this potential incident from the chief pilot.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A B737 on a visual approach to Runway 27 at SAN generated an ATC low altitude alert but the crew had the terrain in sight descending to 2;000 feet.

Narrative: Arrival into SAN was night VFR. Approach procedure had changed several times. We had been filed for Shamu 1; were cleared the Bayvu 3 for a 27 localizer. We re- requested the Shamu 1 with an ILS to 9 approach. ILS to 9 was denied due to [airport] construction. We were then given vectors to a 27 LOC. We were on a right down wind to 27 and given a vector that would intercept the localizer just outside of the IAF (REEBO) on a diagonal intercept course. As we were passing abeam the runway; ATC inquired if we had the runway insight. We did and they cleared us for a visual approach. We were about 4000 feet (estimate) and descending. The REEBO intercept alt is 2000 feet and my plan was to square the base turn to arrive at REEBO wings level inbound at 2000 feet. In order to do this I had to turn left slightly in order to have enough separation to turn back into REEBO and be wings level for the crossing and descent. I started my descent to 2000 feet. There was terrain to the left of us; which we both saw and talked about. We passed the highest terrain to the right and turned base leg at 2000 feet. There was never a GPWS terrain warning in the cockpit; ATC never issued a terrain warning; nor was there ever a 1000 foot or 500 foot radar altimeter indication. At some point in the approach we did get the 2500 foot altitude radar call out. We had all terrain in sight; talked about it; did not feel uncomfortable and did not receive any cockpit or ATC warnings. This report is timely due to just receiving notification of this potential incident from the Chief Pilot.

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.