A320
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 170; Flight Crew Type 1238
Situational Awareness
Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Aircraft; Procedure
We had briefed the visual for 16R; backed up by the ILS to 16R. We were cleared for the visual approach; and to maintain 210 knots. A [B737] flight ahead of us; also cleared for the visual approach; started to slow rapidly. Denver Tower slowed us to 170 knots; which we did. We were then instructed to slow to 150 knots; which we did. About the time we slowed to 150 knots; approximately 8 miles from the runway; we received a descending RA. I looked out of my window; and saw a turboprop flying just off of our wingtip. The aircraft appeared to be lined up for 16L; and continued to fly parallel to our flight path; not getting any closer or further away. The Descending RA continued. When we were about 1 dot below the glide slope the First Officer started to level off to recapture the glideslope. I commented that we still had an RA; and he returned to the RA escape maneuver. I turned the transponder to TA; but the escape maneuver still displayed that a descent was necessary. We were descending at around 1500 feet per minute; less than 2500 feet above the ground. After some discussion; we decided to ignore the RA; as to continue would result in ground contact somewhat short of the runway. Around 1100 feet above the ground; we flew into the 'red descend' zone on the TCAS escape maneuver; and re-intercepted the glideslope. Eventually; the aircraft landing on 16L slowed; and the RA escape maneuver disappeared. We never received a 'clear of conflict' message.
TCAS RA guidance was still directing a steep descent until approximately 800 feet AGL; but aircrew elected to continue the descent at a shallower descent rate for fear that continuing the steep descent guidance given by the TCAS RA would then trigger an EGWS and/or GPWS escape maneuver; (further [exacerbating] the TCAS RA). Aircraft was stabilized before 500 feet AGL; and landed uneventfully.
A320 flight crew reported receiving a 'Descend' RA on approach to DEN that commanded a steep descent until approximately 800 feet AGL.