Descent from MEA on IFR flight plan when cleared for approach by center controller.

Attributes
ACN	180298
Time
Date	199105
Day	Tue
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	airport : eln
State Reference	WA
Altitude	msl bound lower : 7500 msl bound upper : 8000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	Small Aircraft, Low Wing, 1 Eng, Retractable Gear
Flight Phase	cruise other descent : approach
Route In Use	enroute airway : zse
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	Other
Function	instruction : instructor oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : commercial pilot : cfi pilot : instrument
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 186 flight time total : 1100 flight time type : 80
ASRS Report	180298
Person 2
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : single pilot instruction : trainee
Qualification	pilot : private
Events
Anomaly	altitude deviation : excursion from assigned altitude non adherence : clearance non adherence : far non adherence : published procedure
Independent Detector	other controllera
Resolutory Action	controller : issued new clearance flight crew : returned to intended course or assigned course other
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

This occurred on a long instrument training flight (required for fir rating). Our first stop and approach was the VOR B approach to ellensburg, wa. We flew V2 to ellensburg at 9000' MSL, after reporting to ATC 15 mi west we were cleared to 8000' MSL. Around 10 mi from the VOR we were given clearance for the approach. The WX was clear and we had had the airport in sight for some time. My student began a descent before we reached the VOR. About 3 1/2 from the VOR, center informed us were below the MEA. There had been some confusion as to what altitude we should be at. We immediately began a climb to 8000', and began the approach upon reaching the VOR. In conclusion, a bad decision was made by my student and I allowed it to occur, since we were VFR and at any time in no danger as the WX was clear and the airport was in sight. At the time it seemed a small error, but upon reflection, in worse WX the lower altitude would have been less than ideal.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: DESCENT FROM MEA ON IFR FLT PLAN WHEN CLEARED FOR APCH BY CENTER CTLR.

Narrative: THIS OCCURRED ON A LONG INSTRUMENT TRNING FLT (REQUIRED FOR FIR RATING). OUR FIRST STOP AND APCH WAS THE VOR B APCH TO ELLENSBURG, WA. WE FLEW V2 TO ELLENSBURG AT 9000' MSL, AFTER RPTING TO ATC 15 MI W WE WERE CLRED TO 8000' MSL. AROUND 10 MI FROM THE VOR WE WERE GIVEN CLRNC FOR THE APCH. THE WX WAS CLR AND WE HAD HAD THE ARPT IN SIGHT FOR SOME TIME. MY STUDENT BEGAN A DSNT BEFORE WE REACHED THE VOR. ABOUT 3 1/2 FROM THE VOR, CENTER INFORMED US WERE BELOW THE MEA. THERE HAD BEEN SOME CONFUSION AS TO WHAT ALT WE SHOULD BE AT. WE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN A CLB TO 8000', AND BEGAN THE APCH UPON REACHING THE VOR. IN CONCLUSION, A BAD DECISION WAS MADE BY MY STUDENT AND I ALLOWED IT TO OCCUR, SINCE WE WERE VFR AND AT ANY TIME IN NO DANGER AS THE WX WAS CLR AND THE ARPT WAS IN SIGHT. AT THE TIME IT SEEMED A SMALL ERROR, BUT UPON REFLECTION, IN WORSE WX THE LOWER ALT WOULD HAVE BEEN LESS THAN IDEAL.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 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.