Date: 201510
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: HOU.Airport, TX
Flight conditions: IMC
Weather elements / visibility: 4
Aircraft: Medium Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Final Approach; Initial Approach
Airspace: Class B HOU
ATC / advisory: Tower HOU
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Not Flying
Human factors: Situational Awareness
Second reporter function: First Officer
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control; Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Human Factors; Weather
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: We had a runway change late no GS for Runway 30L and winds were out of limits for Runway 4. It was very windy about 62 knots at 3;000 feet.  We added 17 knots to approach speed for wind. Descended at 900 fpm; (zero set). We made call for approaching minimums. Looked out as Pilot Monitoring and saw runway. I created some confusion with the non-standard call of 'do you see it' the Pilot Flying took a second. I told him he was low as opposed to initially saying 'Minimums' he corrected. Don't think we ever broke minimums; but we came down early with the low ground speed because of the headwind. Took over visually and Tower said 'Low Altitude Alert' I said taking over visually and landed uneventfully.


Second narrative: Inbound to HOU we originally planned and briefed the ILS to Runway 4; passing through approximately 12;000 feet; we were notified of a runway change to 30L ILS with the glide slope out of service. We changed the approach in the FMS and rebriefed. The planned Approach speed due gusty winds was 152 knots for a flaps 30 landing. I calculated a descent rate of 800 fpm and a Derived Decision Altitude (DDA) of 570 MSL (MDA 520). I failed to account for a high headwind on final which probably reduced our ground speed by 20 knots from the planned speed; i.e. the descent rate should have been around 700 fpm. As a result we reached minimums farther from the runway than I anticipated. As we approached minimums; I failed to hear the 'Approaching Minimums' call (a lot of radio chatter and the noise from the windshield wipers were very loud and made communication difficult). As a result I was late transitioning my focus outside the aircraft. When the 'Minimums' call was made; it took another second or two for me to be comfortable calling the runway in sight and making the 'Landing' call. Unfortunately I did not arrest the descent rate and dipped below minimums prior to the visual descent point; the Pilot Monitoring stated (PM) we were low and I corrected the flight path. Right around that time the Tower issued a low altitude alert and stated the published minimums. We acknowledged and stated we were proceeding visually. We estimate that we leveled off around 400 feet AGL (450 MSL) so about 70 feet below published minimums. We continued and landed without further incident. Better planning of the descent rate so that we don't arrive at minimums too early and require us to 'Drive' in.


Synopsis: A flight crew reports descending below minimums prior to the VDP on a localizer only approach with the First Officer the flying pilot. A nonstandard minimums call from the Captain and a low altitude call from the tower occurred at the same time. The descent is arrested then a normal landing ensues.