Date: 201301
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: BHM.Airport, AL
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Initial Approach
Airspace: Class C BHM
ATC / advisory: Tower BHM
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: First Officer; Pilot Flying
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Distraction; Situational Awareness
Second reporter function: Captain; Pilot Not Flying
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Detector: Automation Aircraft Terrain Warning; Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Exited Penetrated Airspace; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Contributing factors: Airspace Structure; Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
Primary problem: Ambiguous

Narrative: Having previously flown as the pilot flying into BHM just once or twice; and then in MVFR/IFR conditions; I was the pilot flying. As such; I had never personally seen the 2;049 FT tower depicted on the ILS 06 approach chart. Unfortunately; today I completely overlooked this potential obstacle when I briefed the visual approach for Runway 06 backed up by the ILS. We had been cleared down to 3;000 FT approximately 10 miles southeast of the field when BHM Approach cleared us for the visual and told us to contact Tower. I then dialed the FAF ('MCDEN') crossing altitude of 2;200 FT into the MCP altitude window; began a descent to that altitude; and proceeded direct to MCDEN. The plan was to level off at 2;200 FT some three miles prior to MCDEN and then continue slowing and configuring. At approximately 2;300 FT the Captain noticed and called out the tower; which was nearly directly in front of us; at an estimated distance of 1.5 miles; and looking nearly at our same altitude. I immediately clicked off the autothrottles and autopilot and commenced a gentle climb (we reached nearly 3;000 FT). Just after I commenced the climb; the EGPWS sounded 'obstacle.' The Captain then contacted BHM Tower; advised that we were high; and requested that we be allowed to cross then return to the Localizer from the opposite side; in order to conclude a successful approach. The Tower approved and cleared us to land. Crossing the obstacle tower; I continued configuring and slowing and; after we crossed the Localizer; a 30-degree banked turn and a 1;000 FT/minute descent allowed us to be configured; stable; and on the Localizer and glideslope at approximately 1;000 FT AGL. The remainder of the approach and landing were uneventful. Closer attention to detail on the approach plate; and to other notes and warnings provided in our [chart] package; would likely have caused me to notice; brief; and better avoid this obstacle. However; I also find it curious that ATC never mentioned what I suspect is a commonly encountered threat; at least for aircraft arriving from the southeast conducting visual approaches to Runway 06.


Second narrative: [Narrative 2 contains no additional information.]


Synopsis: An Air Carrier aircraft EGPWS alerted CAUTION TERRAIN on the downwind for a BHM Runway 6 visual and so the crew climbed slightly to avoid the tall tower but were high on final requiring delaying turns.