Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 85; Flight Crew Total 4000; Flight Crew Type 2250
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Altitude Overshoot; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory
Human Factors; Procedure
New York Approach cleared us down to 2;000 feet from 4;000 feet on arrival into MMU. Both pilots heard ATC instruct us to descend to 2;000 feet; and confirmed the altitude in the altitude selector. Passing through 2;500 feet we received a terrain advisory and stopped the descent when we were also queried by ATC. We immediately climbed back up to 3;000 feet and continued the approach in MMU. After the flight we talked about the event as a crew. We have done this arrival many times with New York Approach and believe the previous controller had cleared us down to 2;000 feet too early; since that is an altitude they frequently assign us on the arrival; and there may have been a controller change which added to the confusion.
CE750 First Officer reports being cleared down to 2;000 feet during approach to MMU resulting in a terrain warning and a low altitude alert from ATC. A climb to 3;000 feet is initiated and the approach is continued.