Small Aircraft
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 86; Flight Crew Total 4157; Flight Crew Type 3855
Fatigue; Situational Awareness
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Human Factors; Weather
I had just crossed the YRK VORTAC and began a descent from 2;600 feet MSL towards 2;300. I realized that I had descended too quickly and should have held level at 2;600 until reaching the initial fix of MYKEE for the RNAV 12 approach into HTS. Huntington Approach queried me as to my low altitude (I had descended to 2;450 feet MSL). I corrected my altitude and was then asked by Huntington Approach if I could maintain my own obstruction clearance on the approach. I answered in the affirmative and continued on the approach to a landing without any further issue. This was my initial error. I realized I was fatigued on a long flight with a strong headwind and long period of time in IMC. I should have maintained 2;600 feet MSL until crossing MYKEE.
GA pilot reported an altitude deviation during approach to HTS airport resulting in a low altitude alert from ATC.