Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 194; Flight Crew Type 12000
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
On downwind abeam the field; we were given a right turn and cleared for a visual approach to Runway 31R at DAL. Another Company aircraft was reported to us; we acquired it visually and it was cleared visual approach to 31L. The other a/c had already slowed way down to burn excess fuel and both a/c were converging towards the same point in space on final. There were 38 knots of overshooting crosswinds at 2200 ft AGL and it was imperative that I not overshoot the final approach course to keep safe separation on the other a/c. While turning and descending to line up on the runway; the FO pointed out a tall building located off the approach end of 31R. A second later we received a single 'Caution; Obstacle' Alert. I immediately disconnected the autopilot; applied full thrust; and climbed until we were clear of the obstacle. We then continued our approach to a normal landing. After landing; the FO and I debriefed the event and we realized after checking the FOM that even though we were in VMC; night time requires a mandatory go-around for a GPWS Caution on final approach. I confused the recovery procedures for a GPWS Caution Alert at night VMC with day VMC procedures. Better FOM knowledge would have prevented this mistake.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
B737NG flight crew reported receiving a 'Caution Obstacle' GPWS alert on a night visual approach to DAL Runway 31R.