Medium Large Transport
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 309; Flight Crew Type 10000
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Airspace Structure; Procedure; Human Factors
On about a 120 degree downwind vector for an ILS Approach; the Controller issued a descent to 3;000 feet. The Pilot Monitoring read back the clearance and we dialed it in the MCP window; verified; and continued the descent. Being very familiar with surrounding terrain; I thought this seemed a bit low; but chose not to query the Controller. Passing through 3;100 feet; he gave us a 'low altitude alert; check altitude immediately; maintain 3;500 feet.' I disconnected the autopilot and climbed quickly to 3;500 feet. We completed the rest of the approach with no other issues. It was a poor ATC clearance; and I knew it. I should have asked him to confirm the descent to 3;000 feet.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
Air carrier flight crew reported ATC descended them below the Minimum Vectoring Altitude.