Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 720; Flight Crew Type 250
Distraction; Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
Established on the final approach course for the VOR approach; 8 mile DME from the airport (3 miles from the final approach fix); the published altitude is 2400 ft MSL. The student I was teaching was flying the aircraft. I initiated a simulated; partial-panel situation by placing a card over the G1000 display; simulating an AHRS/ADC failure. The student proceeded to turn the aircraft and descend simultaneously. After correcting a minor course deviation; I looked down at my standby altimeter. I saw the needle on the number 2 (believing we were at 2200 ft MSL; 200 ft below the published altitude for that portion of the approach.) I soon realized we were at 1200 ft MSL. I assumed control of the aircraft and initiated a climb. The Tower called my tail number and issued a Low Altitude Alert. I informed the controller we were aware of the error and were in the process of correcting it. I am a recently certified Instrument Flight Instructor; with very little experience as an Instrument Flight Instructor. We were in a high stress portion of the flight; and I neglected to pay attention to altitude along with the course deviation I was trying to correct. This was a learning experience as an instructor; and as a pilot.
A C172 flight instructor reported that the pilot being given instrument instruction had descended well below the published altitude on a VOR approach.