PA28 pilot reported receiving low altitude alert from ATC while in downdraft; below approach altitud...

Attributes
ACN	1565123
Time
Date	201808
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	SAV.Airport
State Reference	GA
Environment
Flight Conditions	Marginal
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	PA-28R Cherokee Arrow All Series
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Landing
Route In Use	Other RNAV RWY 19
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 180 Flight Crew Total 4500 Flight Crew Type 50
Events
Anomaly	Deviation - Altitude Undershoot Deviation - Procedural Clearance Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence

Narrative:

While on the GPS approach to runway 19; there was virga between the FAF and the runway. While entering the precipitation; the plane entered a downdraft of -500 feet per minute. I added power and attempted to maintain a constant rate of descent; and a few seconds later air traffic control called a low altitude alert. The altimeter indicated 400 feet; about 3/4 from the airport. By this point visual contact with the airport was made; I acknowledged the report from air traffic control; and landed without further incident.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PA28 pilot reported receiving low altitude alert from ATC while in downdraft; below approach altitude.

Narrative: While on the GPS approach to Runway 19; there was virga between the FAF and the runway. While entering the precipitation; the plane entered a downdraft of -500 feet per minute. I added power and attempted to maintain a constant rate of descent; and a few seconds later air traffic control called a low altitude alert. The altimeter indicated 400 feet; about 3/4 from the airport. By this point visual contact with the airport was made; I acknowledged the report from air traffic control; and landed without further incident.

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.