An atx pilot descended below the MEA without clearance.

Attributes
ACN	238340
Time
Date	199304
Day	Fri
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	airport : ast
State Reference	OR
Altitude	msl bound lower : 6400 msl bound upper : 8000
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Operator	common carrier : air taxi
Make Model Name	Small Transport, Low Wing, 2 Recip Eng
Flight Phase	cruise other descent other
Route In Use	enroute airway : zse
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : instrument pilot : commercial
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 100 flight time total : 4800
ASRS Report	238340
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : radar
Qualification	controller : radar
Events
Anomaly	altitude deviation : excursion from assigned altitude non adherence : clearance non adherence : published procedure
Independent Detector	other controllera
Resolutory Action	controller : issued new clearance other
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

I was established on victor 27 from tillamook, or, to astoria. The MEA is 8000 ft, I was at 8000 ft. The controller said I was cleared for approach to the astoria airport. I read back, 'I'm cleared for approach and I'm out of 8000 ft for 5000 ft.' the controller replied, 'roger.' the controller came back when I was out of 6400 ft and he asked if I was established on V27, I said affirmative. He then told me the MEA was 8000 ft, and now proceed direct to the VOR and cross it at 5000 ft and cleared approach. I misunderstood the crossing altitude and when the controller said 'roger' when I told him I was out of 8000 ft, I took that as it was alright to descend to 5000 ft. I should have paid more attention to the MEA's and the controller should have given me a crossing restriction or lower altitude since the MEA is 5000 ft at ast. Basically, I believe we had a misinterp of what was said.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: AN ATX PLT DSNDED BELOW THE MEA WITHOUT CLRNC.

Narrative: I WAS ESTABLISHED ON VICTOR 27 FROM TILLAMOOK, OR, TO ASTORIA. THE MEA IS 8000 FT, I WAS AT 8000 FT. THE CTLR SAID I WAS CLRED FOR APCH TO THE ASTORIA ARPT. I READ BACK, 'I'M CLRED FOR APCH AND I'M OUT OF 8000 FT FOR 5000 FT.' THE CTLR REPLIED, 'ROGER.' THE CTLR CAME BACK WHEN I WAS OUT OF 6400 FT AND HE ASKED IF I WAS ESTABLISHED ON V27, I SAID AFFIRMATIVE. HE THEN TOLD ME THE MEA WAS 8000 FT, AND NOW PROCEED DIRECT TO THE VOR AND CROSS IT AT 5000 FT AND CLRED APCH. I MISUNDERSTOOD THE XING ALT AND WHEN THE CTLR SAID 'ROGER' WHEN I TOLD HIM I WAS OUT OF 8000 FT, I TOOK THAT AS IT WAS ALRIGHT TO DSND TO 5000 FT. I SHOULD HAVE PAID MORE ATTN TO THE MEA'S AND THE CTLR SHOULD HAVE GIVEN ME A XING RESTRICTION OR LOWER ALT SINCE THE MEA IS 5000 FT AT AST. BASICALLY, I BELIEVE WE HAD A MISINTERP OF WHAT WAS SAID.

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.