Cessna 310/T310C
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 2800; Flight Crew Type 75
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Inflight Event / Encounter Unstabilized Approach
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Weather
During vectoring for ILS approach 35L at EFD (Houston Ellington) in IMC conditions the Controller flew us outbound (downwind) very close to the final approach path (approximately 4 miles parallel) making it difficult to turn on to the final approach course. The Controller realized after turning us on to base leg that we were too close and gave us another outbound vector (heading 180) before trying to turn us in again (still too close). We had a difficult time establishing a stabilized approach and would have been forced to miss the approach if the ceiling had been below 1;000 MSL. It was solid IMC with continuous choppy air and light rain and no time to be rushed on the short approach. In hind sight; I should have announced missed approach and requested vectors for a re-position for a more stabilized approach. I am not sure that the Controller even realized how hard he made it for us with the short turn approach right at the localizer and glide slope intercept point. Also; at one point during vectoring we received a low altitude alert during a time that we were established on the assigned altitude of 2;200 MSL (not sure why that happened).
Cessna 310 pilot reported too tight of a turn to final in IMC conditions; making for a difficult approach. Reporter also noted an altitude alert that was unexplained.