A B737-700 flight crew received a 'low altitude' alert from approach control after being cleared for...

Attributes
ACN	916692
Time
Date	201011
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B737-700
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Route In Use	Visual Approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 165 Flight Crew Type 165
Person 2
Function	First Officer Pilot Flying
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 173
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT

Narrative:

The [flight] crew informed the approach controller that the runway was in sight. After we were cleared for a visual approach; we set up for a visual intercept to runway 2R at approximately the final approach fix. As approach control sent the crew to the tower frequency; he informed us he had an altitude alert. The crew informed the controller that they had all visual references in sight for the runway in use. The pilot flying descended to the altitude (2;500) for the final visual intercept and landed without incident.when cleared for a visual approach; the crew acknowledges to the controlling agency that all visual references are available and will be observed. If conditions are not sufficient for a visual approach; then the clearance for the visual should not be issued or accepted. Once it is determined that the conditions are such; then it is up to the crew to ensure that safety is complied with.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A B737-700 Flight Crew received a 'Low Altitude' alert from Approach Control after being cleared for a visual approach.

Narrative: The [flight] crew informed the Approach Controller that the runway was in sight. After we were cleared for a visual approach; we set up for a visual intercept to Runway 2R at approximately the final approach fix. As Approach Control sent the crew to the Tower frequency; he informed us he had an altitude alert. The crew informed the Controller that they had all visual references in sight for the runway in use. The pilot flying descended to the altitude (2;500) for the final visual intercept and landed without incident.When cleared for a visual approach; the crew acknowledges to the Controlling Agency that all visual references are available and will be observed. If conditions are not sufficient for a visual approach; then the clearance for the visual should not be issued or accepted. Once it is determined that the conditions are such; then it is up to the crew to ensure that safety is complied with.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.

A B737-700 flight crew received a 'low altitude' alert from approach control after being cleared for a visual approach.