Narrative:

On an IFR flight plan; in VMC conditions I was given a descend and maintain 5;000 ft clearance by chicago center. I let them know I had the weather at brl and would be planning a visual approach. From 20 miles west descending at 1;000 FPM; 200 KIAS; and still 3;000 ft above pattern altitude it wasn't irregular to hear the controller come back with a lower clearance. I heard 'twin cessna descend and maintain 1-2 twelve thousand...correction...1;000 burlington altimeter 30.35.' I promptly responded; 'descend and maintain 1;000 altimeter 30.35 twin cessna.' there was no other radio communication directed at me for the next 45 seconds to correct or change my last confirmation that I was to continue descending. As I was passing through 4;500 ft; center came back on frequency and asked 'what is your altitude' I said; 'passing 4;300 for 1;000.' center then said 'ok; you should be waiting until I direct you to do so; you just missed *inaudible along the lines of saying I missed other traffic*.' I was at a loss of how to respond because in VMC so close to the airport I thought I was already given a clearance to continue down. Without getting into an argument I called the field in sight and cancelled IFR; squawked 1200 and continued to my destination with no issues. From my perspective I was not given notice of any transitioning traffic throughout my descent beginning at 9;000 MSL; and therefore should not have had such a delayed descent to my destination. I wish the controller would have been more transparent with letting me know about other inbound or conflicting traffic because his short words made it seem like I was in the wrong.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: C340 pilot reported an altitude deviation occurred when there was a miscommunication between himself and ATC.

Narrative: On an IFR flight plan; in VMC conditions I was given a descend and maintain 5;000 ft clearance by Chicago Center. I let them know I had the weather at BRL and would be planning a visual approach. From 20 miles west descending at 1;000 FPM; 200 KIAS; and still 3;000 ft above pattern altitude it wasn't irregular to hear the controller come back with a lower clearance. I heard 'Twin Cessna descend and maintain 1-2 twelve thousand...correction...1;000 Burlington altimeter 30.35.' I promptly responded; 'Descend and maintain 1;000 altimeter 30.35 Twin Cessna.' There was no other radio communication directed at me for the next 45 seconds to correct or change my last confirmation that I was to continue descending. As I was passing through 4;500 ft; Center came back on frequency and asked 'what is your altitude' I said; 'passing 4;300 for 1;000.' Center then said 'Ok; you should be waiting until I direct you to do so; you just missed *inaudible along the lines of saying I missed other traffic*.' I was at a loss of how to respond because in VMC so close to the airport I thought I was already given a clearance to continue down. Without getting into an argument I called the field in sight and cancelled IFR; squawked 1200 and continued to my destination with no issues. From my perspective I was not given notice of any transitioning traffic throughout my descent beginning at 9;000 MSL; and therefore should not have had such a delayed descent to my destination. I wish the Controller would have been more transparent with letting me know about other inbound or conflicting traffic because his short words made it seem like I was in the wrong.

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.