Narrative:

Receiving radar vectors to an ILS runway 21 into spokane international, aircraft descended and leveled off at 5000 ft MSL. Both pilots understood this to be the assigned altitude. Mountains and lighted towers were visible above the overcast. Pilots assumed a turn to join the approach. Controller assigned an immediate left turn and climb to 6000 ft MSL. Controller advised 6000 ft MSL was assigned altitude. Approach and landing completed without further incident.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: FLC OF AN MLG ACR ACFT DSNDED BELOW ASSIGNED ALT RESULTING IN THE APCH CTLR INTERVENING AND ASSIGNING AN IMMEDIATE TURN AND CLB TO AVOID HIGH TERRAIN.

Narrative: RECEIVING RADAR VECTORS TO AN ILS RWY 21 INTO SPOKANE INTL, ACFT DSNDED AND LEVELED OFF AT 5000 FT MSL. BOTH PLTS UNDERSTOOD THIS TO BE THE ASSIGNED ALT. MOUNTAINS AND LIGHTED TWRS WERE VISIBLE ABOVE THE OVCST. PLTS ASSUMED A TURN TO JOIN THE APCH. CTLR ASSIGNED AN IMMEDIATE L TURN AND CLB TO 6000 FT MSL. CTLR ADVISED 6000 FT MSL WAS ASSIGNED ALT. APCH AND LNDG COMPLETED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

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.