Pilot of PA32 improperly selected VFR transponder code while operating within ny ADIZ.

Attributes
ACN	579149
Time
Date	200304
Day	Sun
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	airport : 3n6.airport
State Reference	NJ
Altitude	msl single value : 2500
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : n90.tracon tracon : wri.tracon
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	PA-32 Cherokee Six/Lance/Saratoga
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	descent : intermediate altitude
Flight Plan	VFR
Person 1
Affiliation	other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : private
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 5 flight time total : 510 flight time type : 400
ASRS Report	579149
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : approach
Events
Anomaly	non adherence : far non adherence : published procedure non adherence : clearance
Independent Detector	other other : person 3
Resolutory Action	none taken : detected after the fact
Consequence	faa : reviewed incident with flight crew
Supplementary
Problem Areas	FAA Flight Crew Human Performance Chart Or Publication Airspace Structure ATC Human Performance Environmental Factor
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

I was at 2500 ft MSL on mcguire approach coming from ukt, landing at 3n6. 5 miles from 3n6 I called mcguire and said I had the airport in sight. I thought I heard approach tell me to switch to VFR. I programmed my transponder to 1200 and landed at 3n6. When I shut down I was told by the airport manager to call ny TRACON. I spoke to someone who told me they would report it to the FSDO and I might be hearing from them.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PLT OF PA32 IMPROPERLY SELECTED VFR XPONDER CODE WHILE OPERATING WITHIN NY ADIZ.

Narrative: I WAS AT 2500 FT MSL ON MCGUIRE APCH COMING FROM UKT, LNDG AT 3N6. 5 MILES FROM 3N6 I CALLED MCGUIRE AND SAID I HAD THE ARPT IN SIGHT. I THOUGHT I HEARD APCH TELL ME TO SWITCH TO VFR. I PROGRAMMED MY XPONDER TO 1200 AND LANDED AT 3N6. WHEN I SHUT DOWN I WAS TOLD BY THE ARPT MGR TO CALL NY TRACON. I SPOKE TO SOMEONE WHO TOLD ME THEY WOULD RPT IT TO THE FSDO AND I MIGHT BE HEARING FROM THEM.

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.