While on a vector for the ILS runway 24 approach at ack, the pilot of a light twin became confused over frequency assignment and descended below the last altitude given in a clearance. When communication was reestablished, the ATCT tower controller alerted the pilot to the low altitude and told him to miss the approach.

Home

Browse by month

Random

Latest

About

Contact

Attributes
ACN	340637
Time
Date	199607
Day	Mon
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	airport : ack
State Reference	MA
Altitude	msl bound lower : 600 msl bound upper : 1600
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : pvd
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	descent : approach
Route In Use	enroute : on vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : instrument pilot : commercial pilot : atp
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 30 flight time total : 1850 flight time type : 450
ASRS Report	340637
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : local
Qualification	controller : non radar
Events
Anomaly	altitude deviation : overshoot non adherence : clearance
Independent Detector	other controllera
Resolutory Action	controller : issued new clearance other other
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

Cape approach gave us a turn to intercept the localizer, a descent from 2000 ft to 1600 ft, and a frequency change to 118.2. I knew the correct tower frequency was 118.3 and had previously tuned this. Unable to get a quick response on 118.3, I switched to 118.2, then back to approach for clarification. During the radio confusion, I neglected to arrest my descent. Upon reaching tower, still outside FAF, he advised me I was 1000 ft below assigned altitude and to execute the missed, which I did. The following approach was normal. I had forgotten to 'fly the airplane,' first.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: WHILE ON A VECTOR FOR THE ILS RWY 24 APCH AT ACK, THE PLT OF A LIGHT TWIN BECAME CONFUSED OVER FREQ ASSIGNMENT AND DSNDED BELOW THE LAST ALT GIVEN IN A CLRNC. WHEN COM WAS REESTABLISHED, THE ATCT TWR CTLR ALERTED THE PLT TO THE LOW ALT AND TOLD HIM TO MISS THE APCH.

Narrative: CAPE APCH GAVE US A TURN TO INTERCEPT THE LOC, A DSCNT FROM 2000 FT TO 1600 FT, AND A FREQ CHANGE TO 118.2. I KNEW THE CORRECT TWR FREQ WAS 118.3 AND HAD PREVIOUSLY TUNED THIS. UNABLE TO GET A QUICK RESPONSE ON 118.3, I SWITCHED TO 118.2, THEN BACK TO APCH FOR CLARIFICATION. DURING THE RADIO CONFUSION, I NEGLECTED TO ARREST MY DSCNT. UPON REACHING TWR, STILL OUTSIDE FAF, HE ADVISED ME I WAS 1000 FT BELOW ASSIGNED ALT AND TO EXECUTE THE MISSED, WHICH I DID. THE FOLLOWING APCH WAS NORMAL. I HAD FORGOTTEN TO 'FLY THE AIRPLANE,' FIRST.

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.