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Confusion reigned when the flight crew of a crj-200; cleared to 'descend via' the trups RNAV STAR to dca was given a questionable heading as they approached frdmm; but were then re-cleared again to 'continue' the arrival. The next fix; stand; had a crossing restriction of 210/6;000 and the crew was uncertain if they were required to comply with that restriction. When they were unable to get timely clarification and continued their descent; approach advised they were 'not' cleared to descend below 8;000.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1038090 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201209 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | DCA.Airport |
| State Reference | DC |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200) |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Descent |
| Route In Use | STAR TRUPS1 RNAV |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | First Officer Pilot Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Person 2 | |
| Function | Captain Pilot Not Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude Deviation - Procedural Clearance |
Narrative:
We were cleared to descend via the TRUPS1 arrival and the second controller had cleared us to continue the arrival via runway 19 transition. Prior to reaching frdmm waypoint the controller told us to depart frdmm heading 120 which seemed excessive. The [crossing] restriction at frdmm is 8;000 ft. The pilot not flying queried the controller regarding the heading; but due to congestion he couldn't get a word in edgewise. Finally; the controller issued new instructions to continue on the arrival. We were now at 8;000 ft and were past frdmm [and were descending to comply with] the next crossing restriction of 6;000 ft [at stand]. Shortly thereafter; the controller issued another heading change; and took us off the arrival. Seconds prior; when [we were] on the arrival we had continued our descent. I asked the captain to ask for clarification; at which point the controller replied that we were told to 'continue on' the arrival and not to 'descend via' the arrival. We quickly returned to 8;000 ft and were cleared for the river visual shortly thereafter.the instructions were confusing at best. We were given a heading and; when we asked to confirm the heading; the response was changed to 'stay on the arrival.' if the controller had said 'stay on the arrival maintain 8;000' the confusion would not have taken place.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: Confusion reigned when the flight crew of a CRJ-200; cleared to 'descend via' the TRUPS RNAV STAR to DCA was given a questionable heading as they approached FRDMM; but were then re-cleared again to 'continue' the arrival. The next fix; STAND; had a crossing restriction of 210/6;000 and the crew was uncertain if they were required to comply with that restriction. When they were unable to get timely clarification and continued their descent; Approach advised they were 'not' cleared to descend below 8;000.
Narrative: We were cleared to descend via the TRUPS1 arrival and the second Controller had cleared us to continue the arrival via Runway 19 transition. Prior to reaching FRDMM waypoint the Controller told us to depart FRDMM heading 120 which seemed excessive. The [crossing] restriction at FRDMM is 8;000 FT. The pilot not flying queried the Controller regarding the heading; but due to congestion he couldn't get a word in edgewise. Finally; the Controller issued new instructions to continue on the arrival. We were now at 8;000 FT and were past FRDMM [and were descending to comply with] the next crossing restriction of 6;000 FT [at STAND]. Shortly thereafter; the Controller issued another heading change; and took us off the arrival. Seconds prior; when [we were] on the arrival we had continued our descent. I asked the Captain to ask for clarification; at which point the Controller replied that we were told to 'continue on' the arrival and not to 'descend via' the arrival. We quickly returned to 8;000 FT and were cleared for the river visual shortly thereafter.The instructions were confusing at best. We were given a heading and; when we asked to confirm the heading; the response was changed to 'stay on the arrival.' If the Controller had said 'stay on the arrival maintain 8;000' the confusion would not have taken place.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.