"Jose" wrote in message
t...

AWI123 is level at 3000 and five miles south of DEPRE when cleared for
the approach. He follows the localizer down and crosses DEPRE at 2141
MSL.


Wasn't there an accident recently caused by a misunderstanding like what
is suggested here?


What misunderstanding do you believe is suggested here?



If you are (umpty ump) miles south of the IAF, but
above the initial approach altitude, and get cleared for the approach,
when can you descend?


Immediately. If the aircraft is not yet established on a segment of a
published route or instrument approach procedure ATC must assign an altitude
to maintain until it is. Sometimes in the situation I described here
aircraft report on the localizer on initial contact with GRB approach, when
they are 30 miles or so from the field. They can be cleared for the
approach at that time, "cross SENNA at or above 3000, cleared ILS runway
three six approach."



I recall (perhaps imperfectly) that some airliner
descended inappropriately and ran into terrain, while still above the
altitude for the IAF. A clearance for the approach is not (AFAIK) a
clearance to -descend- to the approach altitude from an otherwise assigned
higher one.

If I'm missing something here, what is it?


Doesn't sound like a recent accident to me, sounds like TWA514, but that was
over thirty years ago.