B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors
When cleared for visual approach; 12L at MSP; pilot flying put 1;500 in ALT window. While descending and pointing at the approach end of the runway; we noticed that we were approaching 1;000 FT AGL so we leveled off and finished configuring. Tower then told us of our 'low altitude warning'; we continued to the runway; fully configured and had a normal/uneventful visual approach and landing. When on visual approaches; dial in FAF [altitude] or greater in the MCP window.
Cleared for visual approach for 12L at MSP; pilot flying selected 1;500 FT in MCP window. While descending and configuring for landing we realized we were approaching 1;000 FT AGL. Leveled off and finished configuring. Tower issued low altitude alert and we confirmed runway in sight on visual approach. Uneventful stable approach and visual landing from that point.
B737 flight crew reports getting low during a visual approach and leveling off at 1;000 AGL to finish configuring. ATC issues a low altitude warning.