If you lose the glideslope on an ILS, what should you do if you are below localizer minimums?

When flying an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach, the glideslope provides vital vertical guidance to help maintain the correct descent angle toward the runway. If you lose the glideslope while below localizer minimums, the safest and most appropriate action is to go around.

Going around is a standard procedure when an approach cannot be completed safely due to a lack of essential navigational information, in this case, the glideslope. Attempting to continue the approach without the glideslope can lead to dangerously low altitudes and potential terrain conflicts or obstacles, given that you would not have proper vertical guidance. It’s crucial to ensure the safety of the flight over attempting to complete a landing that could lead to an unsafe situation.

Other options, such as trying to regain the glideslope or contacting the tower, do not prioritize immediate safety. If you are already below the localizer minimums, extending the approach to regain lost guidance is not advisable, as this could lead to further descent below safe altitudes. Contacting the tower might be necessary after deciding to go around, but it does not resolve the immediate issue of ensuring the aircraft maintains safe altitude and trajectory.