Narrative:

I was expecting the ILS 28R circle to land runway 10L approach at oak. During the vectoring process I neglected to get the complete oak ATIS. The part I did catch was scattered clouds at 900 and a broken layer at 2;500. I continued to anticipate the ILS 28R. I don't recall being asked my approach preference. The controller cleared me for a VOR approach which I didn't fully grasp and readback cleared to the ILS 28R. This readback was not corrected. I was handed off to oak tower who then gave me a terrain alert. At this time I had visual contact with the surface and recognized the surroundings and made a visual approach. I erred in this flight by not maintaining sa; not getting the full ATIS; and allowing my anticipation to exclude the actual instruction given. This was an experience I will not repeat. In future I will make sure to get a complete report of terminal recorded information. In all communications with ATC I will be completely attentive to instructions given rather than anticipation of instructions/clearances. Also; I will be asking for clarification unless I clearly understand the instruction/clearance and not be hesitant about confirming my situational awareness.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An IFR C-172 pilot lost situational awareness and failed to understand and execute his approach clearance; ultimately becoming disoriented and receiving a low altitude alert from ATC at which point he gained visual contact with the airport and landed safely.

Narrative: I was expecting the ILS 28R circle to land Runway 10L approach at OAK. During the vectoring process I neglected to get the complete OAK ATIS. The part I did catch was scattered clouds at 900 and a broken layer at 2;500. I continued to anticipate the ILS 28R. I don't recall being asked my approach preference. The Controller cleared me for a VOR approach which I didn't fully grasp and readback cleared to the ILS 28R. This readback was not corrected. I was handed off to OAK Tower who then gave me a terrain alert. At this time I had visual contact with the surface and recognized the surroundings and made a visual approach. I erred in this flight by not maintaining SA; not getting the full ATIS; and allowing my anticipation to exclude the actual instruction given. This was an experience I will not repeat. In future I will make sure to get a complete report of terminal recorded information. In all communications with ATC I will be completely attentive to instructions given rather than anticipation of instructions/clearances. Also; I will be asking for clarification unless I clearly understand the instruction/clearance and not be hesitant about confirming my situational awareness.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.