What would likely happen if visibility drops below minimum requirements during an approach?

When visibility drops below minimum requirements during an approach, safety becomes the primary concern for pilots. In such situations, the regulations and standard operating procedures dictate that the pilot may not have sufficient visual references to complete a safe landing. This necessitates the possibility of aborting the approach, also known as a "missed approach."

A missed approach is a predetermined procedure that pilots follow when they cannot land safely due to inadequate visibility or other issues. It allows the aircraft to climb away from the runway and navigate to a safe holding pattern or an alternative airport where conditions may be more favorable for landing. This procedure ensures that safety is prioritized and mitigates the risks associated with poor visibility, which can lead to accidents.

Continuing the approach or landing without proper visibility poses a significant risk, as pilots rely on their ability to visually identify the runway and other critical factors during landing. Thus, if conditions do not meet the required visibility standards, a missed approach or abort is the most appropriate course of action.