Learjet 60
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 60; Flight Crew Total 7900; Flight Crew Type 2960
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Human Factors
We were flying from ZZZ to ASE and I was the pilot flying. As we approached Aspen; which at that time was reporting VFR; we were given vectors to intercept LOC DME E into ASE. I looked over and noticed the LOC approach was not properly set up. I warned the monitoring pilot of this but at that point we made visual contact with the airport. We accepted clearance to maintain 13;000 ft until established and clearance to execute LOC DME E approach. Having visual contact with the airport we started our descent. A layer of clouds moved in below us as we made the final turn inbound. At the entire time we had full visual contact with all the terrain around. We lost sight of the airport due to the cloud layer; at the same time ATC issued an altitude alert. I emphasize that we were in full visual contact with all the terrain and that visibility at our flight level was unrestricted. The pilot monitoring advised that we had terrain but lost a visual with the airport and said that we would be going missed and starting a climb. We got another altitude alert from ATC. We advised we are in a climb and asked for vectors to give time to decide what to do. We proceeded to ZZZ1 airport afterwards. We were NOT in IMC conditions at any phase of the flight and we maintained visual clearance from all the terrain. The mistake was communication breakdown with ATC and in part CRM in regards to the intentions to execute a visual approach. At no time aircraft was in IMC conditions and we were maintaining clearance with terrain at all times. The aircraft was never put in any unsafe condition. I learned from this how CRM and communication has to be mastered the entire time.
Learjet First Officer reported receiving a low altitude alert from ATC after descending early on a cleared instrument approach.