Narrative:

IFR flight from msp to mkt 6000 ft MSL. We requested radar vectors for the ILS runway 33 approach. ATC gave us 5000 ft MSL and some headings. They called out traffic to us 1 O'clock 3 mi 4000 ft MSL. Later, ATC gave us a heading of '300 degrees 6 mi from ratel OM. Intercept localizer.' at the time both pilot and copilot believed we were cleared for the approach. The procedure turn altitude was 2700 ft MSL so when we intercepted the localizer we started down to catch the GS. A normal approach and landing was made. After a quick turn and 20 mins into our next leg, we were asked to call ATC. This was the first indication that there had been a problem. After talking to ATC we were informed that we had not been cleared for the approach and had broken separation limits by 3/8 of a mi. Suggestion: it would be very helpful if ATC would include a 'maintain 500 ft' in their final vector for an approach if they do not plan to clear you for the approach until the very last min. 99 percent of the time the last vector comes with a cleared for approach.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: CAPT OF AN LTT CPR JET DSNDED AND MADE AN ILS APCH TO A NON CTLED ARPT WITHOUT ATC CLRNC.

Narrative: IFR FLT FROM MSP TO MKT 6000 FT MSL. WE REQUESTED RADAR VECTORS FOR THE ILS RWY 33 APCH. ATC GAVE US 5000 FT MSL AND SOME HDGS. THEY CALLED OUT TFC TO US 1 O'CLOCK 3 MI 4000 FT MSL. LATER, ATC GAVE US A HDG OF '300 DEGS 6 MI FROM RATEL OM. INTERCEPT LOC.' AT THE TIME BOTH PLT AND COPLT BELIEVED WE WERE CLRED FOR THE APCH. THE PROC TURN ALT WAS 2700 FT MSL SO WHEN WE INTERCEPTED THE LOC WE STARTED DOWN TO CATCH THE GS. A NORMAL APCH AND LNDG WAS MADE. AFTER A QUICK TURN AND 20 MINS INTO OUR NEXT LEG, WE WERE ASKED TO CALL ATC. THIS WAS THE FIRST INDICATION THAT THERE HAD BEEN A PROB. AFTER TALKING TO ATC WE WERE INFORMED THAT WE HAD NOT BEEN CLRED FOR THE APCH AND HAD BROKEN SEPARATION LIMITS BY 3/8 OF A MI. SUGGESTION: IT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL IF ATC WOULD INCLUDE A 'MAINTAIN 500 FT' IN THEIR FINAL VECTOR FOR AN APCH IF THEY DO NOT PLAN TO CLR YOU FOR THE APCH UNTIL THE VERY LAST MIN. 99 PERCENT OF THE TIME THE LAST VECTOR COMES WITH A CLRED FOR APCH.

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.