Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 141
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
During a visual approach into BHM; on downwind for Runway 6. Clear day; we were cleared for the visual at 5000 feet. I descended the aircraft to the final approach altitude of 2;200 feet. The Tower Controller asked if we had towers to the right in sight. We did; towers were at 2;049 feet; and were the highest obstacle listed on the ILS Runway 6; At that same moment the aircraft GPWS [announced] 'terrain terrain pull up.'  I quickly disconnected the autopilot and climbed to 2;600 feet. We had terrain (the towers) in sight the entire time. The flight continued uneventful and we landed normally.I descended below the MSA for the approach. Though I had the obstacle in sight. I should have held altitude longer until passing the towers; being cleared for the visual approach may have prompted me to set up early and descend when I shouldn't have.
Air carrier Captain reported receiving a GPWS terrain warning on a visual approach to BHM.