Light jet flight crew reported receiving low altitude alert warning from ATC during approach to SAN. Crew climbed and continued approach.
Synopsis
Light jet flight crew reported receiving low altitude alert warning from ATC during approach to SAN. Crew climbed and continued approach.
Narrative
While on arrival to San Diego airport on the lucky1 STAR we asked for a right deviation for weather approximately 5° after that was approved by ATC; and when able right turn heading 300. They then took us off the arrival about Aztek; a fix on the Star. After clear of weather; we said we could go direct to VYDDA to rejoin the arrival. The controller replied no; turn right to heading 330 when able. We turned to 330 then continued descent to 6000. Shortly after that ATC said turn left to 180 heading; then to a 220 heading and descend to 2800 feet vector to join final. We read back instructions and altitude of 2800 feet. Looking at the approach; we verified the altitude and it looked correct as we were being vectored to just outside CIJHI the FAF. The crossing altitude for that fix was 2700 feet. So they all looked correct. At about 3200 feet ATC said altitude warning climbed to 3800 feet possible deviation from altitude clearance. We started climbing back up then he said turn right to 260 heading cleared for the approach. (It was the GPS Y 27)We then had to descend right back to 2700 feet for the final approach course fix at CIJHI. We were VMC the entire time; we continued to land and ground control gave us a number to call to talk to SoCal. After we parked; I called FOMO then ATC they wanted my name and phone number to contact me at some future date. I tried to explain what happened but he said he was just collecting my info. I told him ATC was too busy for me to make the point that ATC cleared us 2800 feet not 3800 feet and we were on the approach and safety of flight was more important at that moment then clearing the air at that time. I told them to make sure they marked the tapes for future reference. A sidenote; the person working approach control was very rude with us the entire time we were with him. Cause=====Miscommunication between ATC/pilotsSuggestions===========Confirming altitude with ATC; but we confirmed and read back 2800; both to atc and to each other as setting the altitude as the FSM prescribes.
Second reporter narrative
While on arrival to San Diego airport on the lucky1 STAR we asked for a right deviation for weather approximately 5° after that was approved by ATC; and when able right turn heading 300. They then took us off the arrival about Aztek; a fix on the Star. After clear of weather; we said we could go direct to VYDDA to rejoin the arrival. The controller replied no; turn right to heading 330 when able. We turned to 330 then continued descent to 6000. Shortly after that ATC said turn left to 180 heading; then to a 220 heading and descend to 2800 feet vector to join final. We read back instructions and altitude of 2800 feet. Looking at the approach; we verified the altitude and it looked correct as we were being vectored to just outside CIJHI the FAF. The crossing altitude for that fix was 2700 feet. So they all looked correct. At about 3200 feet ATC said altitude warning climbed to 3800 feet possible deviation from altitude clearance. We started climbing back up then he said turn right to 260 heading cleared for the approach. (It was the GPS Y 27)We then had to descend right back to 2700 feet for the final approach course fix at CIJHI. We were VMC the entire time; we continued to land and ground control gave us a number to call to talk to SoCal. That number was 858-537-5900. After we parked; I called FOMO then ATC they wanted my name and phone number to contact me at some future date. I tried to explain what happened but he said he was just collecting my info. I told him ATC was too busy for me to make the point that ATC cleared us 2800 feet not 3800 feet and we were on the approach and safety of flight was more important at that moment then clearing the air at that Time. I told them to make sure they marked the tapes for future reference. A sidenote; the person working approach control was very rude with us the entire time we were with him. Come to find out they took us off the arrival so Southwest West Jet could get in ahead of us.Airspace was very busy with all the airlines arriving at same time. ATC was talking very fast and most crews were replying very fast just to get a word in; also ATC sounded very agitated and stressed. This most likely is why ATC didn't say anything about our altitude till we were way below the altitude (600') they say they cleared us… (it was so busy with arrivals it took us :30+ minutes to get to parking area due to not being able to cross runway due to continuous arrivals). Suggestions===========Questioning ATC more and ATC following up read backs; however; this is difficult to accomplish during high volume operations
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.