Instrument approach with WX reported below mins.

Attributes
ACN	198859
Time
Date	199201
Day	Thu
Local Time Of Day	1801 To 2400
Place
Locale Reference	airport : apc
State Reference	CA
Altitude	msl bound lower : 0 msl bound upper : 1800
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : oak
Operator	general aviation : instructional
Make Model Name	Small Aircraft, High Wing, 1 Eng, Fixed Gear
Flight Phase	descent : approach landing other
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : single pilot instruction : instructor
Qualification	pilot : cfi pilot : commercial pilot : instrument
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 250 flight time total : 2200 flight time type : 1400
ASRS Report	198859
Person 2
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : single pilot instruction : trainee
Events
Anomaly	other anomaly other
Resolutory Action	other
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Weather
Air Traffic Incident	other

Narrative:

When we took off we had 15 mi of visibility. While out flying I was listening to ATIS. When the ATIS changed to 5 mi visibility, I called ZOA for an approach. By the time I got the approach and was turned inbound, the visibility had dropped to 1 1/2 mi (the VOR 6 at napa). As we got to the OM or the VOR the visibility dropped to 1/8 in fog. I continued the approach and a missed approach. I then asked for a localizer 36L. I flew back but to the VOR and started the procedure for the localizer. After the process turn inbound, I could see the runway and approach light so I flew the approach. At 2 mi I had no problem seeing the lights, runway and the end lights. I called the tower and reported 2 mi. They stated the visibility was still 1/8 or 1/4. I stated that I would like a straight in for 36L and landed and at no time did I have any problem. All the time I could see the runway lights, end lights (red) and runway. I believe at no time did I have less than 1 mi of visibility.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: INST APCH WITH WX RPTED BELOW MINS.

Narrative: WHEN WE TOOK OFF WE HAD 15 MI OF VISIBILITY. WHILE OUT FLYING I WAS LISTENING TO ATIS. WHEN THE ATIS CHANGED TO 5 MI VISIBILITY, I CALLED ZOA FOR AN APCH. BY THE TIME I GOT THE APCH AND WAS TURNED INBOUND, THE VISIBILITY HAD DROPPED TO 1 1/2 MI (THE VOR 6 AT NAPA). AS WE GOT TO THE OM OR THE VOR THE VISIBILITY DROPPED TO 1/8 IN FOG. I CONTINUED THE APCH AND A MISSED APCH. I THEN ASKED FOR A LOC 36L. I FLEW BACK BUT TO THE VOR AND STARTED THE PROC FOR THE LOC. AFTER THE PROCESS TURN INBOUND, I COULD SEE THE RWY AND APCH LIGHT SO I FLEW THE APCH. AT 2 MI I HAD NO PROBLEM SEEING THE LIGHTS, RWY AND THE END LIGHTS. I CALLED THE TWR AND RPTED 2 MI. THEY STATED THE VISIBILITY WAS STILL 1/8 OR 1/4. I STATED THAT I WOULD LIKE A STRAIGHT IN FOR 36L AND LANDED AND AT NO TIME DID I HAVE ANY PROBLEM. ALL THE TIME I COULD SEE THE RWY LIGHTS, END LIGHTS (RED) AND RWY. I BELIEVE AT NO TIME DID I HAVE LESS THAN 1 MI OF VISIBILITY.

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.