Narrative:

ATC instructed 'cross gallup VOR at or above 9000 ft, cleared for VOR/DME a approach to window rock.' after taking off gallup runway 24, I reached VOR at 8500 ft and continued the approach. The intermediate altitude for VOR/DME a approach was 8400 ft. The WX was MVFR/IFR. I should have taken off runway 6 so that I could have had more time/distance to be able to climb 9000 ft before reaching gallup VOR.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: C421 PLT CROSSED THE VOR BELOW THE ASSIGNED ALT.

Narrative: ATC INSTRUCTED 'CROSS GALLUP VOR AT OR ABOVE 9000 FT, CLRED FOR VOR/DME A APCH TO WINDOW ROCK.' AFTER TAKING OFF GALLUP RWY 24, I REACHED VOR AT 8500 FT AND CONTINUED THE APCH. THE INTERMEDIATE ALT FOR VOR/DME A APCH WAS 8400 FT. THE WX WAS MVFR/IFR. I SHOULD HAVE TAKEN OFF RWY 6 SO THAT I COULD HAVE HAD MORE TIME/DISTANCE TO BE ABLE TO CLB 9000 FT BEFORE REACHING GALLUP VOR.

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.