Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 497
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Chart Or Publication; Human Factors; Manuals; Procedure; Weather; Company Policy
After performing a CAT III approach it was discovered that the Center Line (CL) lights were NOTAM'd out of service prior to beginning the approach but turned out to be operational during the landing. While descending the current ATIS showed a 200 foot ceiling with 1/4 mile visibility. It also mentioned that the lead-off lights were extra bright. ATC mentioned that other aircraft were making it in; but were reporting the ceiling to be right at minimums. The RVR received from the Tower was well within limits. With the above information we elected to perform a CAT III approach.The Pilot Flying briefed the approach and all checklists were run. The approach was successful having obtained the required visible items between 100 ft. and 200 ft. After exiting the runway a Company aircraft; who was 50 miles away; queried the Tower about the center lights being NOTAM'd out. Tower did state that the NOTAM for the centerline lights had been removed about one minute prior to this other aircraft's call. It was at that point we realized an error had been made by beginning the approach with the CL being OTS (Out of Service); only to have NOTAM technically be cleared during our final approach.Factors I believe that contributed to our mistake. Failed to notice the NOTAM for 'CL OTS'. Absence of the centerline lights being OTS in the ATIS. The ATIS specifically mentioning the lead off lights being 'Extra Bright' led us to believe the centerline lights were functioning as this is one of the components of CAT III approaches. No mention of required runway lighting under the approach review items.
An Air Carrier pilot reported after successfully landing a CATIII approach the crew discovered the runway centerline lights were NOTAM'd out of service at the time they began their approach but began working by short final.