Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Time Pressure; Workload; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown; Distraction
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT; Inflight Event / Encounter Unstabilized Approach
Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Human Factors; Procedure; Weather
Transitioning from the RNAV Arrival we were held high by Approach Control and transitioned to the approach higher and faster than normal. The PF had briefed the LOC with the LNAV/VNAV shadowing to a visual approach landing. At the FAF; the PF continued to configure the aircraft and started a descent that was steeper than normal. We were still in the clouds at the FAF; but broke out of the weather quickly and had the field in sight. After stopping the initial descent; and leveling off; the Tower passed a low altitude alert. PM acknowledged the alert and the PF continued inbound in level flight. In an attempt to make everything look right with the LNAV/VNAV approach; the PF focused on the VNAV and became distracted with the automation. Configuration calls slowed down and communication between PF and PM declined. When we got an automated too low flaps call; the PF called for and initiated an uneventful go-around and subsequent uneventful approach and landing.
In the process of attempting to engage the VNAV from a somewhat close in LOC to visual (1100 broken layer); flaps were set at 25 below 1000 AGL. Go-around was subsequently initiated.Less focus on VNAV engagement; reverting to MCP mode (vertical speed) to increase situational awareness in this situation.
B737 flight crew reported an ATC low altitude alert and unstabilized approach that resulted in a go-around.