Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 660; Flight Crew Type 11600
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
I was flying a visual approach to Runway 31L. It was a very clear night and we were cleared early for the visual; so I elected to fly a close-in base for landing. As I was about to turn final; we received a 'Caution; Obstacle' Alert. I leveled off on my turn to final; and then resumed the approach to an uneventful landing. Moments later; I remembered that even though we had unlimited visibility; I was required by procedure to execute a go-around in that situation; a realization I did not make during the confusion of the event.It was once very common to hand fly a tight approach to the northwest runways in DAL; but I will always invest the extra minute or two to stay on a magenta line in the future. Personally; this event itself will serve as very effective mnemonic aid for complying with go-around policy for GPWS Cautions.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
Air carrier flight crew reported continuing the approach contrary to procedure after receiving a GPWS obstacle alert on a night visual approach to DAL.