Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT; Inflight Event / Encounter Unstabilized Approach
Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors; Airport
We were cleared for the visual approach to 31L at DAL heading for the Final Approach Fix. My First Officer started a turn for the airport inside the Final Approach Fix and that created a conflict with the building just east of the final. I knew this; but I let the approach continue for too long. I mentioned I thought we were a bit low for our position; and then the Caution Obstacle Aural warning sounded. Our flight path was taking us just inside the building but just close enough to trigger the caution. He started a normal go-around and immediately the caution was silenced as I saw the building was behind us. I allowed the go-around maneuver to be discontinued and that is my mistake. My First Officer handled the aircraft smoothly as no one knew we started a missed approach. In the future I will make sure the normal go-around maneuver is completed and be prepared to execute a terrain avoidance maneuver. I'm also aware of the 10-7 pages referencing this exact problem and I'm frustrated with myself for letting the approach continue to that point.
As pilot flying; while I was maneuvering to final on a visual approach to 31L; we received a CAUTION OBSTACLE from the GPWS. I immediately added power; arrested the descent; started a climb and made a right turn away from the obstacle. We received no other aural alerts; and I continued the approach and landed without further incident. I did not refer to the airport page regarding the obstacle southeast of 31L. Had I reviewed this page; I would have been at a higher altitude and turned final outside of the FAF rather than inside it; and the obstacle would have been no factor. In addition; I would have executed a go-around as directed by the FOM and the airport page.
An air carrier crew on a night visual approach to DFW Runway 31L received a momentary GPWS CAUTION OBSTACLE but discontinued the escape maneuver to continue the approach when the CAUTION ceased.