King Air C90 E90
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Total 3775; Flight Crew Type 50
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Human Factors
ATC requested we descend and maintain 2000 ft ASL. We read back 2000 ft and set it in the altitude alerter window and armed it. While on autopilot we commenced a descent to 2000 ft in VMC. Once level at 2000 ft the crew discussed the close vertical proximity to the terrain below. At this point ATC contacted us and stated that a low altitude warning had been triggered and questioned whether we were at 2500 ft. We stated that we were at 2000 ft; in VMC; and that we had been instructed to maintain 2000 ft as well as having read 2000 ft back to the controller. We were instructed and we complied; to climb and maintain 2500 ft. A few minutes later the controller apologized and stated it may have been their mistake. The flight continued without further incident.
BE9 Captain reported climbing after ATC issued a low altitude alert on arrival to TEB.