Narrative:

Aircraft X was in level flight at 060 on V8 and instructed to depart mkk vortac heading 195 for radar vectors to the GPS-B approach and would be number 2 to the airport following a small transport also inbound on the GPS-B approach. Aircraft X acknowledged the clearance and in the meantime another aircraft was cleared out of mkk on the HAPAI2 departure to hnl via bambo climbing to 40 expecting higher en route. When aircraft X got about 10 miles northeast of mkk she reported the field insight and then arbitrarily made a right 360 and started to descend.at this point the departure was about 10 miles north of mkk on the HAPAI2 and was now climbing to 050. Once aircraft X started her turn and descent the departure was less than 5 miles away; but still climbing out of 042 to 050. Plus the MVA in that area is also 070. The r-side then advised aircraft X that she was not cleared for the visual approach and she was descending below the MVA's in that area and to say intentions. Then aircraft X said they were climbing back up to 060 and going on the 195 heading as previously cleared. Then the r-side advised aircraft X to continue climb to 070 for the MVA's and issued the MSAW alert. Once level at 070 she was then vectored for the GPS-B approach and mkk tower issued the brasher warning to aircraft X.by the r-side taking immediate action. It prevented aircraft X from being in real imminent danger.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: HCF Controller and aircraft pilot report of confusion related to approach clearance given/not given and MVA violation as a result of confusion.

Narrative: Aircraft X was in level flight at 060 on V8 and instructed to depart MKK Vortac heading 195 for radar vectors to the GPS-B approach and would be number 2 to the airport following a small transport also inbound on the GPS-B approach. Aircraft X acknowledged the clearance and in the meantime another aircraft was cleared out of MKK on the HAPAI2 departure to HNL via BAMBO climbing to 40 expecting higher en route. When Aircraft X got about 10 miles NE of MKK she reported the field insight and then arbitrarily made a right 360 and started to descend.At this point the departure was about 10 miles north of MKK on the HAPAI2 and was now climbing to 050. Once Aircraft X started her turn and descent the departure was less than 5 miles away; but still climbing out of 042 to 050. Plus the MVA in that area is also 070. The R-Side then advised Aircraft X that she was not cleared for the visual approach and she was descending below the MVA's in that area and to say intentions. Then Aircraft X said they were climbing back up to 060 and going on the 195 heading as previously cleared. Then the R-Side advised Aircraft X to continue climb to 070 for the MVA's and issued the MSAW alert. Once level at 070 she was then vectored for the GPS-B approach and MKK Tower issued the Brasher Warning to Aircraft X.By the R-Side taking immediate action. It prevented Aircraft X from being in real imminent danger.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.