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On radar vector assumed cleared for approach when put on intercept heading. Got below minimum vr altitude.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 94752 |
| Time | |
| Date | 198809 |
| Day | Tue |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801 To 2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | airport : sch |
| State Reference | NY |
| Altitude | msl bound lower : 1500 msl bound upper : 2300 |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Night |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Controlling Facilities | tracon : al |
| Operator | other |
| Make Model Name | Experimental |
| Flight Phase | descent : approach |
| Route In Use | enroute : on vectors |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Affiliation | government : military |
| Function | flight crew : captain oversight : pic |
| Qualification | pilot : atp pilot : instrument |
| Experience | flight time last 90 days : 200 flight time total : 8000 flight time type : 600 |
| ASRS Report | 94752 |
| Person 2 | |
| Affiliation | government : military |
| Function | flight crew : first officer |
| Qualification | pilot : atp |
| Experience | flight time last 90 days : 100 flight time total : 5000 flight time type : 3000 |
| ASRS Report | 94753 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | non adherence : clearance non adherence : published procedure other spatial deviation |
| Independent Detector | other controllera |
| Resolutory Action | controller : issued new clearance other |
| Consequence | faa : reviewed incident with flight crew |
| Supplementary | |
| Primary Problem | Flight Crew Human Performance |
| Air Traffic Incident | Pilot Deviation |
Narrative:
While being radar vectored for an NDB approach to runway 22 at schenectady airport, ny, at approximately 10 NM (actual distance could not be determined) we were given a vector to intercept final course inbound. (The controller's exact wording led both pilots to believe we were cleared for the approach. Unfortunately neither pilot can remember the exact clearance) once established. On final we began our descent to MDA of 940' (catch). Just prior to descent we encountered VMC conditions. At approximately 1500' approach control advised us to maintain 2300', that we were 12 NM from airport. We immediately began a climb to 2300'. Both pilots were under the impression that we were cleared for the approach. A good call by the controller prevented a possible accident. Lesson learned: listen for and use proper terminology. Also, if in doubt, ask for distance (remember twa/dulles airport, washington). In addition: approach charts for NDB/or VOR west/O DME should have crossing radials to help determine remain within distances--especially when being vectored for final in lieu of flying the entire approach! WX at sch was 800' ceilings. Ceilings to north were ragged up to 2300-2400' MSL.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: ON RADAR VECTOR ASSUMED CLEARED FOR APCH WHEN PUT ON INTERCEPT HEADING. GOT BELOW MINIMUM VR ALT.
Narrative: WHILE BEING RADAR VECTORED FOR AN NDB APCH TO RWY 22 AT SCHENECTADY ARPT, NY, AT APPROX 10 NM (ACTUAL DISTANCE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED) WE WERE GIVEN A VECTOR TO INTERCEPT FINAL COURSE INBND. (THE CTLR'S EXACT WORDING LED BOTH PLTS TO BELIEVE WE WERE CLRED FOR THE APCH. UNFORTUNATELY NEITHER PLT CAN REMEMBER THE EXACT CLRNC) ONCE ESTABLISHED. ON FINAL WE BEGAN OUR DSCNT TO MDA OF 940' (CATCH). JUST PRIOR TO DSCNT WE ENCOUNTERED VMC CONDITIONS. AT APPROX 1500' APCH CTL ADVISED US TO MAINTAIN 2300', THAT WE WERE 12 NM FROM ARPT. WE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN A CLB TO 2300'. BOTH PLTS WERE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT WE WERE CLRED FOR THE APCH. A GOOD CALL BY THE CTLR PREVENTED A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. LESSON LEARNED: LISTEN FOR AND USE PROPER TERMINOLOGY. ALSO, IF IN DOUBT, ASK FOR DISTANCE (REMEMBER TWA/DULLES ARPT, WASHINGTON). IN ADDITION: APCH CHARTS FOR NDB/OR VOR W/O DME SHOULD HAVE XING RADIALS TO HELP DETERMINE REMAIN WITHIN DISTANCES--ESPECIALLY WHEN BEING VECTORED FOR FINAL IN LIEU OF FLYING THE ENTIRE APCH! WX AT SCH WAS 800' CEILINGS. CEILINGS TO N WERE RAGGED UP TO 2300-2400' MSL.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of August 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.