Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Retractable Gear
Flight Crew Flight Engineer; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 1200; Flight Crew Total 25000; Flight Crew Type 250
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors; Procedure
Upon approach to DNN; after having been cleared direct to the IAF for the RNAV Rwy 32 by Atlanta Center; I was told to contact Chattanooga Approach. I contacted them; and was told I could not commence the approach due to VFR traffic beneath the undercast; and was given a radar vector north-bound and a frequency change. I misread the frequency and attempted to call them unsuccessfully; then changed the frequency and was told upon initial contact 'low altitude alert; climb immediately.' I was VMC above the clouds below; and have dual WAAS GPS units with current terrain databases. I knew my position; and although I had been vectored past the IAF; I was several miles south of the terrain. I asked for a westerly vector; and after an additional heading southwest bound; I realized I could descend VMC through the broken-scattered clouds and asked permission to cancel. The controller replied 'that would be best for both of us.' I squawked 1200; and descended beneath the layer; and completed a successful visual approach.Although I was on an IFR clearance; I was in VMC conditions the entire flight. The repeated vectoring around the IAF caused me to need to re-load the approach three times; which is challenging in single-pilot operations. I never felt unaware of my position or the position of the terrain. However; the verbal instructions from the Approach Controller and his tone of voice made me decide to file this report.
GA pilot reported being given a low altitude alert by ATC in the vicinity of DNN airport.