Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 92; Flight Crew Total 93; Flight Crew Type 90
Situational Awareness; Distraction
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
My instructor and I were working on simulated instrument approaches. I was to shoot the VOR 24 into MJX and then circle to land on Runway 14. I briefed the plate in the plane while under foggles. As we approached the airport I descended to the published circling minimum of 540 feet. I was under foggles at the time this happened so I couldn't see my height above terrain. We were around the AYCEE intersection at the time of this. My instructor told me to climb immediately and we did. I was then told to remove the foggles; and continue to circle and land on 14.
GA pilot reported descending below published minimums during a practice VOR approach.