Narrative:

Having been cleared to descend to 6000 ft from 11,500 ft we began our descent to 500 FPM 20 mi DME on V-4 east of salina VOR (sln). We were due to intercept the mak localizer for the ILS 03 approach 40 mis DME. We were not yet cleared for the approach however. As we were descending, I realized that we needed to reach 6000 ft quicker so I slowed the small aircraft to 160 imph (vfe 15 degree) and extended flaps to 15 degrees. I proceeded to slow down to 140 imph (vlo). I extended the landing gear and flaps to 45 degrees. I then continued to descend at 130 imph at 1500 FPM and the engines set at 15 inches mp. At 6000 ft I intercepted the localizer and attempted to continue descending to intercept the GS. Thinking that we had already been cleared for the approach. The other pilot on the right seat was operating the radios. He realized that we were still supposed to be on V-4. So I immediately proceeded to track on V-4 again. By then we were at 4500 ft. Kansas city center called back and vectored us to a heading of 180 degrees and we proceeded on that heading for 5 mins at 130 imph. We were then cleared to climb to 6000 ft because we were out of radar contact. I retracted gear and flaps and climbed to 6000 ft. Meanwhile, an army helicopter in the area, apparently reported our position to center. He cleared us to hold on the published hold. We made one complete turn and then we were cleared for the ILS 03 approach. I proceeded with and completed the approach and then was cleared to circle to land on 21. Note: just before the hold center asked us to call because we had committed an altitude infraction. I called and I was told that he had to fill out paperwork to send off. I then did not give him my identity on the grounds that I would incriminate myself and until I seek legal advice.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: SMA PLT DSNDS BELOW ASSIGNED ALT THINKING CLRED FOR APCH. PLT PAX CORRECTS HIM AS DOES ATC.

Narrative: HAVING BEEN CLRED TO DSND TO 6000 FT FROM 11,500 FT WE BEGAN OUR DSCNT TO 500 FPM 20 MI DME ON V-4 E OF SALINA VOR (SLN). WE WERE DUE TO INTERCEPT THE MAK LOC FOR THE ILS 03 APCH 40 MIS DME. WE WERE NOT YET CLRED FOR THE APCH HOWEVER. AS WE WERE DSNDING, I REALIZED THAT WE NEEDED TO REACH 6000 FT QUICKER SO I SLOWED THE SMA TO 160 IMPH (VFE 15 DEG) AND EXTENDED FLAPS TO 15 DEGS. I PROCEEDED TO SLOW DOWN TO 140 IMPH (VLO). I EXTENDED THE LNDG GEAR AND FLAPS TO 45 DEGS. I THEN CONTINUED TO DSND AT 130 IMPH AT 1500 FPM AND THE ENGS SET AT 15 INCHES MP. AT 6000 FT I INTERCEPTED THE LOC AND ATTEMPTED TO CONTINUE DSNDING TO INTERCEPT THE GS. THINKING THAT WE HAD ALREADY BEEN CLRED FOR THE APCH. THE OTHER PLT ON THE R SEAT WAS OPERATING THE RADIOS. HE REALIZED THAT WE WERE STILL SUPPOSED TO BE ON V-4. SO I IMMEDIATELY PROCEEDED TO TRACK ON V-4 AGAIN. BY THEN WE WERE AT 4500 FT. KANSAS CITY CTR CALLED BACK AND VECTORED US TO A HDG OF 180 DEGS AND WE PROCEEDED ON THAT HDG FOR 5 MINS AT 130 IMPH. WE WERE THEN CLRED TO CLB TO 6000 FT BECAUSE WE WERE OUT OF RADAR CONTACT. I RETRACTED GEAR AND FLAPS AND CLBED TO 6000 FT. MEANWHILE, AN ARMY HELI IN THE AREA, APPARENTLY RPTED OUR POS TO CTR. HE CLRED US TO HOLD ON THE PUBLISHED HOLD. WE MADE ONE COMPLETE TURN AND THEN WE WERE CLRED FOR THE ILS 03 APCH. I PROCEEDED WITH AND COMPLETED THE APCH AND THEN WAS CLRED TO CIRCLE TO LAND ON 21. NOTE: JUST BEFORE THE HOLD CTR ASKED US TO CALL BECAUSE WE HAD COMMITTED AN ALT INFRACTION. I CALLED AND I WAS TOLD THAT HE HAD TO FILL OUT PAPERWORK TO SEND OFF. I THEN DID NOT GIVE HIM MY IDENTITY ON THE GNDS THAT I WOULD INCRIMINATE MYSELF AND UNTIL I SEEK LEGAL ADVICE.

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.