DA40 Diamond Star
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 120; Flight Crew Total 1030; Flight Crew Type 240
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
I was VFR on top; enroute to 8B0. It was time to start my descent into the airport however; there was a solid cloud layer below me. I requested a 'pop-up' IFR flight plan into my destination with the GPS-D approach. I advised them that I had the weather at BML as the AWOS at my destination was unavailable. The approach clearance I received was as follows; '...proceed direct to SHINY; descend and maintain 3;600 FT; cleared for the RNAV-D into Rangely.' According to the approach plate; you are required to be at 6;000 FT while holding over SHINY. I should have questioned this; but did not. I quickly noticed I was too low when the terrain advisories started to sound. I leveled off; and at that moment; in a very broken transmission; heard the Controller tell me to climb and maintain 6;300 FT; so I expedited my climb and continued in the hold. Once reestablished; I proceeded with the approach and successfully landed at my destination. Don't assume you heard correctly. Don't assume the Controller is always correct.
DA40 pilot reports being cleared direct to SHINY; descend and maintain 3;600 FT; Cleared for the RNAV-D into Rangely. Descent is initiated before noticing that the minimum altitude at SHINY is 6;000 FT. Very shortly terrain advisories begin to sound and the Controller issues a climb to 6;300 FT.