Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Human Factors
I was working Final radar when the PA46 checked in on course to PGD. The pilot requested the RNAV Runway 33 Approach at PGD. I coordinated with the Tower and they approved the approach. I gave the aircraft a 160 heading in order to comply with his request. The pilot followed my instructions and flew the 160 heading. The pilot then asked for lower; and I descended him to 2;500 from his original 3;000. A couple miles later he asked me for lower again. I advised that I was unable to descend him any lower because of the antennas [in the vicinity] and that was the [initial] altitude of the approach he was requesting. When the pilot got abeam the final approach fix; I cleared him to '...turn right direct PETSE; four miles from PETSE; cross PETSE at 2;500; cleared RNAV Runway 33 Approach'. The pilot read back; 'Turn direct PETSE; cleared approach'. I didn't see anything wrong with that because the altitude is published on the approach plate. After a couple of sweeps on the radar scope; the pilot descended from 2;500 to 1;500 MSL less than half a mile from the antennas at SERFS. When I noticed it; I told the pilot that he was supposed to cross PETSE at 2;500 and that was why I could not descend him any lower. His response was; 'OH'. I notified my CICR regarding this issue and he called PGD Tower to notify the pilot to call our facility; which he didn't do.
Despite repeated attempts by the TRACON Controller to make him aware; the pilot of a PA46 failed to comply with the altitude constraints associated with the RNAV (GPS) Runway 33 approach to PGD. The pilot also failed to contact the facility to review the incident as requested.