When should you not descend below localizer minimums?

The choice that aligns with the proper procedures regarding localizer minimums is based on the importance of maintaining safe operations during an approach. Descending below localizer minimums when you are greater than one dot below or two dots above the glide slope indicates you are not properly aligned with the descent path required for a safe approach. This discrepancy may put you in a position that does not meet the established barriers for a safe approach, increasing the risk of a missed approach or collision with terrain.

In contrast, being on the glide slope typically means you are following the recommended descent path accurately, which is safe to continue. Being below 500 feet above ground level by itself does not automatically warrant a prohibition on descending below localizer minimums; it is the visual contact with the runway that is more critical as well as maintaining the correct glide slope. Not being visual with the runway is a condition where descending below minimums would be dangerous since you cannot ascertain your position relative to the runway and its approach. Therefore, adhering strictly to the localizer minimums is crucial when approaching an airport.