<< >> NASA ASRS Report 385510, November 1997

Cpr aircraft flight crew descends below assigned altitude and makes visual approach without clearance.

Attributes
ACN	385510
Time
Date	199711
Day	Wed
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	airport : hef
State Reference	VA
Altitude	msl bound lower : 2000 msl bound upper : 2000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : iad tower : dfw
Operator	general aviation : corporate
Make Model Name	Commercial Fixed Wing
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 : captain oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : atp
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 50 flight time total : 3000 flight time type : 200
ASRS Report	385510
Person 2
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : first officer
Qualification	pilot : commercial pilot : instrument
Events
Anomaly	altitude deviation : excursion from assigned altitude non adherence : clearance
Independent Detector	other controllera other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	none taken : detected after the fact
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

During descent was instructed by ATC to maintain 2000 ft. We had visual on the airport and VASI in sight, and descended below last assigned altitude. The controller was busy and it was late at night. We began a final approach without being 'cleared for the visual.' landing was normal.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: CPR ACFT FLC DSNDS BELOW ASSIGNED ALT AND MAKES VISUAL APCH WITHOUT CLRNC.

Narrative: DURING DSCNT WAS INSTRUCTED BY ATC TO MAINTAIN 2000 FT. WE HAD VISUAL ON THE ARPT AND VASI IN SIGHT, AND DSNDED BELOW LAST ASSIGNED ALT. THE CTLR WAS BUSY AND IT WAS LATE AT NIGHT. WE BEGAN A FINAL APCH WITHOUT BEING 'CLRED FOR THE VISUAL.' LNDG WAS NORMAL.

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.