A C340 pilot descended below the MSA on an IFR approach into pwg.

Attributes
ACN	801018
Time
Date	200808
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	navaid : act.vortac
State Reference	TX
Altitude	msl single value : 2000
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Weather Elements	Fog
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : act.tracon
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	Cessna 340/340A
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Navigation In Use	other vortac
Flight Phase	descent : approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : multi engine pilot : private pilot : instrument
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 28 flight time total : 3200 flight time type : 550
ASRS Report	801018
Events
Anomaly	altitude deviation : crossing restriction not met altitude deviation : excursion from assigned altitude non adherence : clearance non adherence : published procedure other spatial deviation
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	none taken : detected after the fact
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Flight Crew Human Performance
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance

Narrative:

On VOR 17 approach into pwg approximately 3 mi south of act VOR on 185 degree radial; descended below MSA on approach prior to reaching missed approach. I was established on the approach; had full WX brief. I believe that I received a modified missed approach procedure during final phase of approach and; after readback of procedure; I thought I had passed the FAF. I then began a descent below the published altitude prior to reaching the FAF. In the future; I will not let ATC or other factors distract me during the approach procedure to ensure that this does not happen again.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A C340 PLT DSNDED BELOW THE MSA ON AN IFR APCH INTO PWG.

Narrative: ON VOR 17 APCH INTO PWG APPROX 3 MI S OF ACT VOR ON 185 DEG RADIAL; DSNDED BELOW MSA ON APCH PRIOR TO REACHING MISSED APCH. I WAS ESTABLISHED ON THE APCH; HAD FULL WX BRIEF. I BELIEVE THAT I RECEIVED A MODIFIED MISSED APCH PROC DURING FINAL PHASE OF APCH AND; AFTER READBACK OF PROC; I THOUGHT I HAD PASSED THE FAF. I THEN BEGAN A DSCNT BELOW THE PUBLISHED ALT PRIOR TO REACHING THE FAF. IN THE FUTURE; I WILL NOT LET ATC OR OTHER FACTORS DISTRACT ME DURING THE APCH PROC TO ENSURE THAT THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of May 2009 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.