What are the conditions to descend below DH or MDA to land?

• A. The aircraft may descend below DH anytime it sees runway lights
• B. The aircraft must be in a position to land inside the touchdown zone using normal descent rate and maneuvering; visibility not less than required; at least one visual reference in sight
• C. The aircraft must descend below DH only after reaching the missed approach point
• D. The aircraft may descend below DH if the pilot is a PIC of an airplane

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that you may descend below decision height (DH) or minimum descent altitude (MDA) only when you have the necessary visual cues and you’re positioned to complete a safe landing. In practice, that means you must have the runway or required elements of the runway environment in sight and be in a position to land inside the touchdown zone using a normal descent rate and normal maneuvering. The flight visibility also must meet the published minimums for the approach.

This is the best fit because it captures all the conditions that truly justify continuing the approach below minima: you’re seeing the required visual references, you’re aligned and able to land safely with a standard descent, and the visibility is adequate.

Relying solely on seeing runway lights isn’t sufficient, since lights alone may not provide the full runway environment needed to descend below minima. Descending below DH/MDA isn’t tied to reaching the missed approach point or to the pilot’s qualification alone; those don’t override the visibility and visual-reference requirements.