Saab 340 Undifferentiated
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150; Flight Crew Total 9200; Flight Crew Type 600
Distraction; Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met; Deviation - Altitude Overshoot; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert
Procedure; Human Factors
Passing the final approach fix on the VOR approach to Runway 10 at TFFF we started our descent to minimums with an altitude restriction of 1;090 MSL before minimums. Before reaching the intermediate altitude the Controller advised us to exit the runway after landing via [Taxiway] A after which I reached for the airport diagram which I had on my left over my flight bag. When I looked back at my altimeter I was very surprised to see that we were reaching approach minimums already. I reacted by taking positive control of the aircraft; announcing my controls and disengaging the autopilot to get back when the Controller advised us that he got a terrain [low altitude] alert. I responded that we were at minimums and the Controller said 'Roger'. We never had a GPWS alert and this whole approach is conducted over the water. It was a clear night and I had the runway and the surroundings in sight from 12 miles out. We continued and made an uneventful landing and taxied to the ramp; my brand new First Officer; for whom I was conducting Initial Operating Experience; was not familiar with this airport and was the pilot flying.What I learned from this is to be very alert at all times and never take my eyes of what's going on and I strongly assure you that this will never happen again.
A Check Airman providing initial operating experience to a new First Officer was distracted by a runway exit clearance provided by the Tower and; while he researched the airport page the First Officer descended excessively triggering a low altitude alert from ATC.