B737-700
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 142; Flight Crew Type 10000
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness; Workload
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
General None Reported / Taken
Airport; Weather; Human Factors
Briefed and set up for the RIVER Visual to Runway 19. At the beginning of the visual; I noted and verbalized that there was approximately a 50-knot wind from our right and that I would try to stay toward the right (west) side of the river to avoid getting blown into the prohibited airspace.  I configured at landing gear down and flaps 15 prior to the 6 DME point; and was approximately 1800 feet as the [approach] pages recommend. Approaching the 3 DME point is when we received the Caution Obstacle alert.  I was unsure if a go-around was required for a caution.  We both saw the obstacle (building on the west side of the river); and the PM made a callout that I was low.  I corrected my flight path and continued.  After landing; and some discussion; I realized that we must go around with a caution at night.
A B737-700 flight crew received an EGPWS obstacle warning while conducting a RIVER VISUAL approach to DCA at night in gusting crosswinds.  Although they adjusted and landed safely the flight crew reconsidered their actions after the event and determined they should have initiated a go-around.