Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150; Flight Crew Total 805; Flight Crew Type 350
Communication Breakdown
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors
During an ILS Runway 02 practice approach into SAC; with clearance to land from COUPS intersection and following instructions from SAC Tower to break off final and circle to land east the landing Runway 20; the private pilot rated instrument training pilot (Pilot Flying) descended below the circling minimums for the approach (500 ft. MSL; 476 ft AGL) to 276 ft. AGL while on downwind for Runway 20. While completing the approach; verbal instructions were given by the Flight Instructor to maintain circling minimums on the downwind and climb immediately to protect the MDA. The pilot flying was observed by the instructor that they descended rather than climbed; resulting in the flight instructor repeating instructions to climb immediately for obstacle clearance in a congested area. The instructor voiced 'climb climb climb' and took the flight controls; and assisted the student in climbing back up to the circling MDA; where the controls were returned to the student once the airplane was stabilized and the hazard removed. The student was briefed on the faulty approach after landing and additional training was given to illustrate the importance of maintaining MDA on all approaches; maintaining positive aircraft control; and executing the missed approach promptly if the approach becomes unstable. The student voiced that they were certain the aircraft stalled; and was the reason for the uncontrolled descent. However; the airspeed remained well above stall speed and the aircraft was in a low angle of attack state up to and during the descent below MDA. The student was given additional training to aviate; navigate; communicate and to fly the airplane first; and finally; to follow FAA guidance to instrument cross-check; interpret the instruments; and control the airplane. The student was not observed to descend below MDA on subsequent instrument approaches following this incident.
Flight Instructor reported that his student descended below MDA during a circle-to-land approach.