C177 on approach to mtn is confused with ATC instructions.

Attributes
ACN	584789
Time
Date	200306
Day	Mon
Local Time Of Day	1801 To 2400
Place
Locale Reference	airport : mtn.airport
State Reference	MD
Altitude	msl single value : 2200
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Dusk
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tower : mtn.tower
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	Cardinal 177/177RG
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Navigation In Use	ils localizer only : 15
Flight Phase	descent : approach
Route In Use	approach : instrument non precision arrival : on vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : instrument pilot : commercial
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 25 flight time total : 3500 flight time type : 850
ASRS Report	584789
Person 2
Affiliation	other
Function	controller : local
Events
Anomaly	inflight encounter : weather non adherence : clearance
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	controller : issued advisory controller : issued new clearance
Consequence	faa : reviewed incident with flight crew
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Weather ATC Human Performance Flight Crew Human Performance
Primary Problem	ATC Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Intra Facility Coordination Failure

Narrative:

While IMC and intercepting localizer runway 15 approach into mtn, tower controller attempted to switch me back to potomac approach. I refused. I requested to continue approach until breaking out of clouds. I explained my intentions too. Once VFR, I asked to proceed to essex sky park, W48. The mtn tower controller told me to turn right to 180 degrees (?) and climb to 3000 ft and to switch back to potomac. Once I explained my intentions, the tower asked 'are you refusing the turn?' I confirmed my refusal to turn and climb. Again I explained my intention to proceed with the approach, break out VFR, and proceed to W48 (home base). Mtn tower controller said I was 'not doing this the right way.' because W48 has no instrument approachs, there was no choice but to perform the localizer runway 15 approach until breaking out VFR.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: C177 ON APCH TO MTN IS CONFUSED WITH ATC INSTRUCTIONS.

Narrative: WHILE IMC AND INTERCEPTING LOC RWY 15 APCH INTO MTN, TWR CTLR ATTEMPTED TO SWITCH ME BACK TO POTOMAC APCH. I REFUSED. I REQUESTED TO CONTINUE APCH UNTIL BREAKING OUT OF CLOUDS. I EXPLAINED MY INTENTIONS TOO. ONCE VFR, I ASKED TO PROCEED TO ESSEX SKY PARK, W48. THE MTN TWR CTLR TOLD ME TO TURN R TO 180 DEGS (?) AND CLB TO 3000 FT AND TO SWITCH BACK TO POTOMAC. ONCE I EXPLAINED MY INTENTIONS, THE TWR ASKED 'ARE YOU REFUSING THE TURN?' I CONFIRMED MY REFUSAL TO TURN AND CLB. AGAIN I EXPLAINED MY INTENTION TO PROCEED WITH THE APCH, BREAK OUT VFR, AND PROCEED TO W48 (HOME BASE). MTN TWR CTLR SAID I WAS 'NOT DOING THIS THE RIGHT WAY.' BECAUSE W48 HAS NO INST APCHS, THERE WAS NO CHOICE BUT TO PERFORM THE LOC RWY 15 APCH UNTIL BREAKING OUT VFR.

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.