Small transport descends below assigned altitude while searching for the airport.

Attributes
ACN	346820
Time
Date	199609
Day	Sat
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	airport : msy
State Reference	LA
Altitude	msl bound lower : 1100 msl bound upper : 1500
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : msy
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	cruise other
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : atp
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 200 flight time total : 6000 flight time type : 200
ASRS Report	346820
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : approach
Qualification	controller : radar
Events
Anomaly	altitude deviation : excursion from assigned altitude non adherence : far non adherence : clearance
Independent Detector	other controllera
Resolutory Action	controller : issued new clearance other
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

I was cleared to descend and maintain 1500 ft, direct to VOR then 280 degree heading for ILS runway 10. I was coming up on VOR and 1500 ft when approach control said if I could get visual of field, could land on runway 28. As I quickly searched for field I was distracted and continued descent to 1100 ft. Approach said maintain 1500 ft. I called field in sight. Cleared visual.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: SMT DSNDS BELOW ASSIGNED ALT WHILE SEARCHING FOR THE ARPT.

Narrative: I WAS CLRED TO DSND AND MAINTAIN 1500 FT, DIRECT TO VOR THEN 280 DEG HDG FOR ILS RWY 10. I WAS COMING UP ON VOR AND 1500 FT WHEN APCH CTL SAID IF I COULD GET VISUAL OF FIELD, COULD LAND ON RWY 28. AS I QUICKLY SEARCHED FOR FIELD I WAS DISTRACTED AND CONTINUED DSCNT TO 1100 FT. APCH SAID MAINTAIN 1500 FT. I CALLED FIELD IN SIGHT. CLRED VISUAL.

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.