Cessna 152
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 3; Flight Crew Total 192; Flight Crew Type 57
Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT; Inflight Event / Encounter VFR In IMC
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Weather; Procedure; Human Factors
I was returning to ZZZ. I had received the latest ATIS reporting VFR conditions and called the tower 10nm northeast of the field to establish connection. I was at 1;500 ft. when I made the call. As I was leaving the hills behind me and crossing the bay I was getting progressively worried about visibility due to haze. I could not see most of the landmarks (could barely see the edge of land ahead of me and the bridge to my right); but I was continuing to approach the airport. I slowly descended to pattern altitude (800 ft.) and about 2 miles from the airport (keeping about 80-85 kts.); starting to panic as I could not see the runway and most things around it. I had been given instructions for right traffic on Runway XX. I descended to about 450 ft. when the Controller asked me to make a right 360 and get back to pattern altitude. I had completely passed the runway - I told ATC I cannot see the runway. ATC gave me headings and eventually was able to clearly see the runway; joined the pattern and proceeded to land. I should have declared an emergency considering I did not think I was in VFR conditions and starting to get anxious and for sure I should have never descended bellow pattern altitude without having a visual of the runway and having properly entered the pattern.
Pilot reported becoming disoriented on approach due to fog and haze and descended below approach altitude. ATC provided assistance; requiring Pilot to make a 360 degree turn and climb to pattern altitude; subsequently landing safely.