Small Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Confusion; Situational Awareness
Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met; Deviation - Altitude Overshoot; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure; Human Factors
I have for years used the MGFIATR (Missed; Guidance; Final Approach Fix; Initial Approach Fix; Altitude; Time; Radios) to set up an approach and it has worked well. On this occasion; I skimmed over the process of setting up the LOC 19 because I had done the same approach the week before and thought I knew the initial and final fixes. Approach Control cleared me to descend to 1;600 FT outside EYMEY when he cleared me for the approach. When I crossed EYMEY; I mistakenly thought it was the FAF and started descending. During my scan I realized I had another waypoint to cross and it dawned on me that HAUKY was actually the FAF. I increased power and climbed to 1;600 FT again and finished the approach. Nothing was said by ALB Tower. Do what you know to be right; don't take any short cuts and pay attention to detail.
A solo pilot flying the ALB Runway 19 LOC thought he knew the IAF (EYMEY) and FAF (HAUKY) from memory; but after ATC cleared him to 1;600 FT prior to EYMEY; he forgot the actual FAF and began his descent early at the IAF. He realized his error and returned to 1;600 FT.