Narrative:

During initial vectors [for an] ILS approach; ATC issued descent to 8000ft. After a few minutes ATC issued a 'right' heading to 230; which the pilot was confused and thought he misheard the heading as the pilot was currently on a heading was 260. Pilot after a few second delay read incorrectly back 'right heading 320'; ATC did not correct. After approximately 1-2 minutes on incorrect heading ATC queried 'verify on heading 230' to which the pilot stated '230 was a left turn; I read back right turn to 320; I'll turn left; left heading 230; my apologies'. ATC responded 'I misheard the read back because the radio was static-y; please turn left to 210'. Pilot 'roger; left turn 210'. At that point the pilot proceeded to turn left.the altitude pre-selector was selected at 5000 ft during deviation. Prior to vectoring the pre-selector was dialed at the ATC cleared 8000 ft. Upon descending below 7700ft MSL the pilot noticed that the terrain clearance did not appear correct as the terrain was less than 2000 feet below aircraft. The pilot was about to query when ATC when ATC called 'verify level 8000 ft'. Pilot responded: 'correcting; I'm not sure how it blew through 8000 ft; we are correcting immediately'. The pilot at that point had disconnected autopilot; manually initiated climb an reset altitude preselect. Upon reaching 8000 ft MSL the pilot re-engaged autopilot on altitude hold mode. Approximately 2 minutes later ATC cleared (or re-cleared) aircraft down to 5000 ft MSL. Pilot is unsure if during initial incorrect vector he heard a decent clearance. Additional vector error occurred when ATC asked for 'right turn to heading 200'; pilot responded 'currently on heading 210'; ATC responded 'roger; left turn 200'. Upon final vector to intercept runway 31 localizer; ATC issued: 'turn right heading 280; maintain 5000 ft until established; cleared ILS runway 31 approach'. Pilot had read back clearance; and initiated turn; selected apr mode on autopilot and auto pilot (ap) started decent when it captured GS. Approximately 9nm from FAF ATC issued: 'descend and maintain 3200 ft'; pilot responded: 'descend and maintain 3200 ft'. Approximately 6.7 nm with aircraft fully established on glideslope pilot queried ATC 'I'm fully established on ILS; do you still require the altitude restriction at 3200 ft?' ATC responded: 'negative; I cleared you for the ILS; contact tower'. Contributing factors (altitude deviation): ambient light was rapidly deteriorating; cockpit panel lights were on; pfd/mfd screens were dimmed; but the mode select panel lighting was not turned on (where altitude and heading selectors are). Confusing clearances from ATC stating right turns when left headings were issued.probable cause (altitude deviation): 2 possibilities: pilot either heard an incorrect descent request from ATC for 5000 ft MSL (below sector MVA) during the incorrect heading assignment and/or during corrective left turn to heading 220 twisted the wrong knob (altitude preselect vs heading knob) and did not catch error until after altitude deviation had begun. Pilot cannot recall either scenario as leading cause. Training plan: pilot plans to recognize confusing clearances and ask for clarification prior to accepting clearance. Additionally; pilot recognized terrain clearance was less than normal on an IFR vector. The pilot will query ATC if altitude pre-selector and issued altitude don't seem to agree. Both cases pilot recognizes communication clarification with ATC on any questions or conflicting issues is vital.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PC12 Captain reported confusion during vectors when the Approach Controller issued turns with an incorrect direction. Later; ATC detected an altitude deviation and corrected the heading with another incorrect turn direction.

Narrative: During initial vectors [for an] ILS approach; ATC issued descent to 8000ft. After a few minutes ATC issued a 'Right' heading to 230; which the pilot was confused and thought he misheard the heading as the pilot was currently on a heading was 260. Pilot after a few second delay read incorrectly back 'Right Heading 320'; ATC did not correct. After approximately 1-2 minutes on incorrect heading ATC queried 'Verify on Heading 230' to which the pilot stated '230 was a left turn; I read back right turn to 320; I'll turn left; left heading 230; my apologies'. ATC responded 'I misheard the read back because the radio was static-y; Please turn left to 210'. Pilot 'Roger; left turn 210'. At that point the pilot proceeded to turn left.The altitude pre-selector was selected at 5000 ft during deviation. Prior to vectoring the pre-selector was dialed at the ATC cleared 8000 ft. Upon descending below 7700ft MSL the pilot noticed that the terrain clearance did not appear correct as the terrain was less than 2000 feet below aircraft. The Pilot was about to query when ATC when ATC called 'Verify level 8000 ft'. Pilot responded: 'Correcting; I'm not sure how it blew through 8000 ft; we are correcting immediately'. The Pilot at that point had disconnected Autopilot; manually initiated climb an reset altitude preselect. Upon reaching 8000 ft MSL the pilot re-engaged autopilot on Altitude hold mode. Approximately 2 minutes later ATC cleared (or re-Cleared) aircraft down to 5000 ft MSL. Pilot is unsure if during initial incorrect vector he heard a decent clearance. Additional vector error occurred when ATC asked for 'right turn to heading 200'; Pilot responded 'currently on heading 210'; ATC responded 'Roger; Left turn 200'. Upon final vector to intercept Runway 31 LOC; ATC issued: 'Turn right heading 280; Maintain 5000 ft until established; cleared ILS runway 31 approach'. Pilot had read back clearance; and initiated turn; selected APR mode on autopilot and Auto Pilot (AP) started Decent when it captured GS. Approximately 9nm from FAF ATC issued: 'Descend and Maintain 3200 ft'; Pilot responded: 'Descend and Maintain 3200 ft'. Approximately 6.7 nm with aircraft fully established on Glideslope pilot queried ATC 'I'm fully established on ILS; do you still require the altitude restriction at 3200 ft?' ATC responded: 'Negative; I cleared you for the ILS; contact tower'. Contributing Factors (Altitude Deviation): Ambient light was rapidly deteriorating; cockpit panel lights were on; PFD/MFD screens were dimmed; but the Mode Select Panel lighting was not turned on (where Altitude and Heading selectors are). Confusing clearances from ATC stating right turns when left headings were issued.Probable Cause (Altitude Deviation): 2 Possibilities: Pilot either heard an incorrect descent request from ATC for 5000 ft MSL (below sector MVA) during the incorrect heading assignment and/or during corrective left turn to heading 220 twisted the wrong knob (Altitude Preselect vs Heading knob) and did not catch error until after altitude deviation had begun. Pilot cannot recall either scenario as leading cause. Training Plan: Pilot plans to recognize confusing clearances and ask for clarification prior to accepting clearance. Additionally; pilot recognized terrain clearance was less than normal on an IFR vector. The pilot will query ATC if Altitude Pre-selector and issued altitude don't seem to agree. Both cases pilot recognizes communication clarification with ATC on any questions or conflicting issues is vital.

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.