above minimums, not visual why would any sane pilot disconnect the automatics?
I don't understand, I am instrument rated and disconnecting A/P slightly above MDA is pretty much a standard procedure at least among GA pilots like myself. They disconnected at around 550' so just about 100' above MDA, perfectly normal considering they had to reduce rate of descent and not bust MDA. Obviously nothing like that happened - they clearly decided to plow even lower in hope of breaking through the clouds. Are you instructing on 737?? So tell us how you would fly this approach by the airline pilot standards.