Light Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Other / Unknown; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Procedure; Airport; Airspace Structure; Chart Or Publication; Human Factors
Aircraft X was inbound from the southeast and tracking direct to the airport. Aircraft X checked on with Tower on a Visual Approach southeast of the downtown buildings and twin antennas. I cleared Aircraft X to land and asked the pilot if he intended to base north or south of the twin antennas. I didn't have any other traffic at the time so this served mostly to remind or alert the pilot about the antennas as he descended and flew towards them. The pilot first stated his intention to turn base south of the antennas. The Low Altitude Alert triggered and as the Approach Controller keyed up the shout line to notify me of the Low Altitude Alert the pilot of Aircraft X called up again and changed his plan to base north of the twin antennas. I observed Aircraft X out the windows and watched as he maintained safe spacing from the obstructions before turning Final.Stop bringing aircraft from the southeast direct to the airport and stop actively creating watch situations. The downtown buildings and twin antenna are significant obstructions and frequently interfere with pilots getting and keeping the airport in sight. A 7 to 10 mile straight in for aircraft arriving for the northeast prevents this.
MKC Tower Controller reported the Approach Controller advised them of a Low Altitude Alert for an aircraft on a Visual Approach.