Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Situational Awareness
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Airspace Structure; Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
On approach to ROA; ATC asked if we had the airport in site while at 4;000 feet. We acknowledged we did and were cleared for the visual approach. We positioned ourselves outside of HIBAN for the approach and started to descend to 3;700 feet. We received a momentary terrain warning passing over a hill. We leveled off and waited to descend until fully aligned with the approach course to Runway 24.Fully comply with policy to use a full straight in approach to prevent any terrain warnings on approach especially at night. Momentary lapse in recognition of need to start approach farther out and not accept visual approach at night.
Air carrier Captain reported a momentary terrain warning while passing over a hill on a visual approach.