Narrative:

While on approach for the dca river visual runway 19; I was the PF and got too low on the visual approach for our position relative to the airport. Prohibited airspace was not violated; but it was a distraction. While heavily focused on maintaining avoidance of the prohibited airspace in dca; I mistakenly thought I was at the 'key bridge' point located at approximately 3 DME from dca (which is recommended to cross at 900 ft MSL). I was however still outside the 4nm point and was at approximately 900-1000 ft MSL; realizing I was too low. We were fully configured; and I was slowing to our vref speed. It was at this time that the npf and I both became aware I was too low on the approach and I leveled out. At this time; while leveling out we got a 'low altitude alert' from the tower controller and simultaneously was asked if we wanted runway 15 instead. We declined the runway change and I realized my position error; leveled out and re-stabilized before continuing for runway 19. No other issues arose and the approach was successful and stable from that point onward. I was so focused on avoiding the lateral issues with the approach; that I momentarily lost situational awareness with my vertical profile. I descended too fast and too soon; causing our vertical profile to be below recommended altitudes on the visual approach. In the future; it is very clear to me; that avoiding the prohibited airspace isn't the only focus; so much as it can be a distraction as well. Maintaining clearance of that airspace; is only one aspect of a successful and stabile approach. Following basic airmanship and company sops will keep the profile intact and maintain a stable approach for a successful outcome.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: CRJ700 flight crew reported getting low during the River Visual to Runway 19 at DCA. An EGPWS obstacle alert and a low altitude alert from the Tower were received at about 4 DME and 900 feet. The descent is arrested momentarily to regain the profile before landing on Runway 19.

Narrative: While on approach for the DCA river visual runway 19; I was the PF and got too low on the visual approach for our position relative to the airport. Prohibited airspace was NOT violated; but it was a distraction. While heavily focused on maintaining avoidance of the prohibited airspace in DCA; I mistakenly thought I was at the 'Key Bridge' point located at approximately 3 DME from DCA (which is recommended to cross at 900 ft MSL). I was however still outside the 4nm point and was at approximately 900-1000 ft MSL; realizing I was too low. We were fully configured; and I was slowing to our Vref speed. It was at this time that the NPF and I both became aware I was too low on the approach and I leveled out. At this time; while leveling out we got a 'Low altitude alert' from the tower controller and simultaneously was asked if we wanted runway 15 instead. We declined the runway change and I realized my position error; leveled out and re-stabilized before continuing for runway 19. No other issues arose and the approach was successful and stable from that point onward. I was so focused on avoiding the lateral issues with the approach; that I momentarily lost situational awareness with my vertical profile. I descended too fast and too soon; causing our vertical profile to be below recommended altitudes on the visual approach. In the future; it is very clear to me; that avoiding the prohibited airspace isn't the only focus; so much as it can be a distraction as well. Maintaining clearance of that airspace; is only one aspect of a successful and stabile approach. Following basic airmanship and company SOPs will keep the profile intact and maintain a stable approach for a successful outcome.

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.