Private pilot inadvertently descended early during an instrument approach due to a malfunctioning VO...

Attributes
ACN	211524
Time
Date	199205
Day	Thu
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	airport : txk
State Reference	AR
Altitude	msl bound lower : 1700 msl bound upper : 2000
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tower : txk
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	Small Aircraft
Flight Phase	descent : approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : instrument pilot : commercial pilot : cfi
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 24 flight time total : 277 flight time type : 18
ASRS Report	211524
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : local
Qualification	controller : non radar
Events
Anomaly	aircraft equipment problem : less severe altitude deviation : excursion from assigned altitude non adherence : clearance non adherence : far
Independent Detector	aircraft equipment other aircraft equipment : unspecified other controllera other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	flight crew : returned to intended course or assigned course
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

I was flying the localizer back course runway 4 approach into texarkana. I have been having trouble with the VOR sticking at full deflection. When I was handed off from ZFW to texarkana tower, I thought the controller advised me I was 4.6 mi from the airport. When I looked at the VOR to see if I was on the 170 degree radial from txk, it was at full deflection so I thought it had malfunctioned. So I started my descent out of 2000. The VOR then jumped to the middle and I realized I must have misunderstood the controller so I immediately initiated a climb back to 2000 ft since I was not at the final approach fix yet. After I initiated my climb the tower told me that center advised me to stop my descent. I then explained to the tower what had happened. I learned that you must be 100 percent sure of what controllers tell you and that your equipment must also be 100 percent. If your instruments don't assume anything, ask for verification. I believe this event has made me a better pilot. I find that I am more alert and aware of every situation. It is unfortunate that this had to happen, but I'm glad some good can come out of it.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PRIVATE PLT INADVERTENTLY DSNDED EARLY DURING AN INST APCH DUE TO A MALFUNCTIONING VOR RECEIVER.

Narrative: I WAS FLYING THE LOC BACK COURSE RWY 4 APCH INTO TEXARKANA. I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE VOR STICKING AT FULL DEFLECTION. WHEN I WAS HANDED OFF FROM ZFW TO TEXARKANA TWR, I THOUGHT THE CTLR ADVISED ME I WAS 4.6 MI FROM THE ARPT. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE VOR TO SEE IF I WAS ON THE 170 DEG RADIAL FROM TXK, IT WAS AT FULL DEFLECTION SO I THOUGHT IT HAD MALFUNCTIONED. SO I STARTED MY DSCNT OUT OF 2000. THE VOR THEN JUMPED TO THE MIDDLE AND I REALIZED I MUST HAVE MISUNDERSTOOD THE CTLR SO I IMMEDIATELY INITIATED A CLB BACK TO 2000 FT SINCE I WAS NOT AT THE FINAL APCH FIX YET. AFTER I INITIATED MY CLB THE TWR TOLD ME THAT CTR ADVISED ME TO STOP MY DSCNT. I THEN EXPLAINED TO THE TWR WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I LEARNED THAT YOU MUST BE 100 PERCENT SURE OF WHAT CTLRS TELL YOU AND THAT YOUR EQUIP MUST ALSO BE 100 PERCENT. IF YOUR INSTS DON'T ASSUME ANYTHING, ASK FOR VERIFICATION. I BELIEVE THIS EVENT HAS MADE ME A BETTER PLT. I FIND THAT I AM MORE ALERT AND AWARE OF EVERY SITUATION. IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT THIS HAD TO HAPPEN, BUT I'M GLAD SOME GOOD CAN COME OUT OF IT.

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.

Private pilot inadvertently descended early during an instrument approach due to a malfunctioning VOR receiver.