A C182 pilot flying a RNAV/GPS approach was cleared to maintain 1;500 ft until glideslope intercept ...

Attributes
ACN	1134221
Time
Date	201312
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Final Approach
Route In Use	Direct
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Commercial
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50 Flight Crew Total 7200 Flight Crew Type 1000
Events
Anomaly	Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Deviation - Procedural Clearance Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT

Narrative:

I was given clearance to fly the RNAV/GPS approach. I was cleared to 1;500 ft and told to proceed to an approach intersection and to report intercepting the glideslope information. I reported this and was told I was cleared for the approach. I began my descent in anticipation of flying into the glideslope. Approach control then called me and queried me being at 800 ft when I was cleared to 1;500. I reported back that I was in the approach and was going to remain at 800 ft until I intercepted the glidepath. The controller seemed satisfied with this explanation. In retrospect I commenced my descent too early. I should have remained at 1;500 ft until I had fully intercepted the glideslope.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A C182 pilot flying a RNAV/GPS approach was cleared to maintain 1;500 FT until glideslope intercept but continued his descent to 800 FT thinking he would fly into the glideslope while descending.

Narrative: I was given clearance to fly the RNAV/GPS approach. I was cleared to 1;500 FT and told to proceed to an approach intersection and to report intercepting the glideslope information. I reported this and was told I was cleared for the approach. I began my descent in anticipation of flying into the glideslope. Approach Control then called me and queried me being at 800 FT when I was cleared to 1;500. I reported back that I was in the approach and was going to remain at 800 FT until I intercepted the glidepath. The Controller seemed satisfied with this explanation. In retrospect I commenced my descent too early. I should have remained at 1;500 FT until I had fully intercepted the glideslope.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

A C182 pilot flying a RNAV/GPS approach was cleared to maintain 1;500 ft until glideslope intercept but continued his descent to 800 ft thinking he would fly into the glideslope while descending.