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Acy TRACON controller describes an aircraft that descends below the FAF altitude to the minimum descent altitude causing a low altitude alert. The aircraft is advised of the low altitude and then sees the airport and lands safely.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1212405 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201410 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ACY.Airport |
| State Reference | NJ |
| Environment | |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Small Transport Low Wing 2 Turboprop Eng |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 135 |
| Flight Phase | Final Approach |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Approach |
| Qualification | Air Traffic Control Fully Certified |
| Experience | Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 25 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude Deviation - Procedural Clearance Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT |
Narrative:
Aircraft X was cleared for GPS runway 31 approach. On about an 8 mile final (3 miles before the FAF); the low altitude alarm went off. I noticed the aircraft at 800 ft. The crossing restriction at the FAF is 1500 ft. The aircraft was talking to tower. I alerted the tower controller; who then alerted the pilot. The pilot stated that 'he was descending to his minimum descent altitude' then subsequently saw the airport. The field was VFR at the time with OVC012.I don't really know what happened; but pilots must be diligent to where/when they can begin descent.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: ACY TRACON Controller describes an aircraft that descends below the FAF altitude to the minimum descent altitude causing a low altitude alert. The aircraft is advised of the low altitude and then sees the airport and lands safely.
Narrative: Aircraft X was cleared for GPS RWY 31 approach. On about an 8 mile final (3 miles before the FAF); the low altitude alarm went off. I noticed the aircraft at 800 ft. The crossing restriction at the FAF is 1500 FT. The aircraft was talking to tower. I alerted the tower controller; who then alerted the pilot. The pilot stated that 'He was descending to his minimum descent altitude' then subsequently saw the airport. The field was VFR at the time with OVC012.I don't really know what happened; but pilots must be diligent to where/when they can begin descent.
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.