Learjet 60
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 130; Flight Crew Total 2800; Flight Crew Type 300
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
While on vectors to final for the ILS 13 to HIO approach cleared for a decent to 2;400 Ft. we started down and at about 2;900 Ft. we realized that th DME arc only three miles to our north; was only alowing 3;700 Ft. At that time I initiated a climb and simultaneously the controller issued a low altitude alert and told us to climb and maintain 3;400 Ft.
LR60 First Officer reports being cleared to 2;400 feet by Approach Control but realizes during the descent by looking at the terrain on the ILS approach chart that the Controller must have said 3;400 feet. A low altitude alert is issued by ATC as the reporter is starting to climb.