Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Retractable Gear
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 22; Flight Crew Total 716; Flight Crew Type 716
Situational Awareness; Distraction; Confusion; Workload
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Weather
I had inadvertently set 278 FT instead of the correct deadhead (DH) of 480 FT in the altitude alert for the ILS approach to Runway 10R at MRY. I was on short final in IMC; on the localizer and glideslope; and had descended through the DH before realizing what I had done and immediately initiated the missed approach. I never did have a visual so really don't know how close I was to the ground; but I am sure it was below the DH. Very close call really and in the future I need to double check all settings before starting an approach.
A single engine pilot flying the MRY 10R ILS set 278 FT in the altitude alerter and descended below the 480 FT DH before realizing his error; then executing a missed approach.