EMB-505 / Phenom 300
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Situational Awareness
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation - Altitude Overshoot; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors; Weather
Approaching ZZZ at about XA:55. ATIS indicated wind 190/3 light rain; vis 1+ 3/4 miles. At approximately 14 miles out I spotted the two runways and the airport was clearly visible. We were vectored to an intercept heading of about 190 degrees and cleared to 3;000 ft. to maintain until established; 'Cleared for the ILS XXL approach.' We descended to 2;000 ft. I reported the airport in sight twice and also mentioned that I picked it up visually 14 miles out. At approximately XA:57; ZZZ Approach called [us]; Low altitude alert; climb immediately to 2;900. I responded with something like; We are in the clear. His response was Climb now to 2;900; ZZZ is reported as IFR. Controller apologized for the confusion and essentially said the mistake was on 'our end.' I played back the recording and discovered that the mistake was indeed mine. We were issued 3;000 ft. not 2;000 ft. The biggest mistake I made was shifting my attention outside the airplane. I could clearly see the airport and the fact we were visually clear of all obstacles. The approach plate was reviewed and displayed in front of me. I was essentially operating visually despite the fact we were on an actual instrument approach. Procedurally incorrect. We were never in any danger.
EMB-505 flight crew received a low altitude alert from ATC while on an IFR clearance in VMC when the flight descended below the assigned altitude.