Widebody; Low Wing; 4 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 120; Flight Crew Total 13800; Flight Crew Type 3500
Confusion; Situational Awareness
Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
We were given a descent and then handed over to Bilboa Approach who then cleared us for the ILS for LEVT when we were approximately 30 NM from the airport. We were not expecting the clearance but I assumed that we were well above all minimum altitudes as we had been given a rather late descent. We thought it would be safe to descend to 6;000 FT that was listed on a STAR to LEVT and start the ILS. At approximately 8;500 FT the Approach Controller informed us that 9;500 FT was the MSA in our area. I leveled off and began to climb; but not as quickly as I should have. Thinking that based on our distance from LEVT; we should still be descending. No GPWS warning were activated and we had no amber that I noticed on our TAWS screen at any time. Upon reaching the point where the STAR began; we descended via published altitudes and landed uneventfully. I should have stayed at my last assigned altitude until on the STAR or we should have told the Controller we were unfamiliar with the airport and asked for recommended attitudes until established on the ILS. I should have also noted the MSA of the area surrounding LEVT. In addition; I feel that Approach could have been a bit more proactive. We appeared to be the only ones on frequency so I don't think the Controller was very busy and recommended altitudes or radar vectors to final would have been useful.
An air carrier approaching LEVT was cleared for the ILS but when descending to the initial STAR altitude was advised by ATC that they were below the MSA descending through 8;500 FT.