Light aircraft pilot and observer missed hearing approach clearance.

Attributes
ACN	494150
Time
Date	200012
Day	Sun
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	airport : pae.airport
State Reference	WA
Altitude	msl bound lower : 2000 msl bound upper : 4000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : zse.artcc tower : msp.tower
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	Small Aircraft, High Wing, 1 Eng, Fixed Gear
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Navigation In Use	other vortac
Route In Use	approach : instrument non precision
Flight Plan	VFR
Person 1
Affiliation	other
Function	observation : observer
Qualification	pilot : instrument pilot : commercial pilot : cfi
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 120 flight time total : 3200 flight time type : 200
ASRS Report	494150
Person 2
Affiliation	other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : instrument pilot : private
ASRS Report	493974
Events
Anomaly	non adherence : clearance other anomaly other
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	controller : issued new clearance
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Flight Crew Human Performance ATC Human Performance
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

I was flying as safety pilot. We were cleared to cross the pae VOR at 4000 ft on the 340 degree radial, and to expect approach clearance (VOR-B) in 5 mi. About 8 mi north, center asked if we were still on the frequency and called traffic. I responded and also asked when we could expect our approach clearance. Center responded that we had been cleared 7 mi ago, our approach clearance was canceled and to start our procedure turn. The PF started the turn and a descent to 2000 ft. A caught the descent at about 3500 ft and had him ask center if we were cleared to descend. Center told us to maintain 2000 ft. Both of us are certain we were not cleared for the approach. We did not read back an approach clearance. However we should not have left 4000 ft for 2000 ft.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: LIGHT ACFT PLT AND OBSERVER MISSED HEARING APCH CLRNC.

Narrative: I WAS FLYING AS SAFETY PLT. WE WERE CLRED TO CROSS THE PAE VOR AT 4000 FT ON THE 340 DEG RADIAL, AND TO EXPECT APCH CLRNC (VOR-B) IN 5 MI. ABOUT 8 MI N, CTR ASKED IF WE WERE STILL ON THE FREQ AND CALLED TFC. I RESPONDED AND ALSO ASKED WHEN WE COULD EXPECT OUR APCH CLRNC. CTR RESPONDED THAT WE HAD BEEN CLRED 7 MI AGO, OUR APCH CLRNC WAS CANCELED AND TO START OUR PROC TURN. THE PF STARTED THE TURN AND A DSCNT TO 2000 FT. A CAUGHT THE DSCNT AT ABOUT 3500 FT AND HAD HIM ASK CTR IF WE WERE CLRED TO DSND. CTR TOLD US TO MAINTAIN 2000 FT. BOTH OF US ARE CERTAIN WE WERE NOT CLRED FOR THE APCH. WE DID NOT READ BACK AN APCH CLRNC. HOWEVER WE SHOULD NOT HAVE LEFT 4000 FT FOR 2000 FT.

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.