Air carrier flight crew failed to initiate descent in time to make assigned crossing restriction on ...

Narrative:

ATC cleared us to cross munky intersection on the POLAR3 arrival into dtw at the expected; planned; and standard FL230. Our altitude was FL270. The captain and I were talking. Munky fix started flashing indicating station passage. I recorded the fuel on the dispatch release. I then realized I had not begun descending. I told the captain I had forgotten to descend and selected power idle; full spoilers; vertical speed down 3;500 FPM. As I began descending; ATC told us to change to cleveland center. We leveled at FL230 5 to 6 miles after munky fix. The threats were the crossing restriction on a quiet morning and the conversation in the flight deck to keep our minds active. My error as the flying pilot was not initiating the descent when assigned by ATC; not perceiving the snow flake or 3 degree guidance in my scan; and the captain not catching my error in his monitoring cross check. The undesired aircraft state was being 4;000 ft too high above our crossing fix.I should; as I usually do; begin descending immediately when assigned crossing fixes. I should; if planning a 3 degree descent; ask the captain to remind me if he sees me not acting at the 3 degree descent point. I should be aware that conversation; though good in keeping the mind active; also leads to distraction from flying responsibilities especially during low levels of activity; such as at cruise.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air Carrier flight crew failed to initiate descent in time to make assigned crossing restriction on the POLAR3 arrival into DTW.

Narrative: ATC cleared us to cross MUNKY Intersection on the POLAR3 arrival into DTW at the expected; planned; and standard FL230. Our altitude was FL270. The Captain and I were talking. MUNKY fix started flashing indicating station passage. I recorded the fuel on the dispatch release. I then realized I had not begun descending. I told the Captain I had forgotten to descend and selected power idle; full spoilers; vertical speed down 3;500 FPM. As I began descending; ATC told us to change to Cleveland Center. We leveled at FL230 5 to 6 miles after MUNKY fix. The threats were the crossing restriction on a quiet morning and the conversation in the flight deck to keep our minds active. My error as the flying pilot was not initiating the descent when assigned by ATC; not perceiving the snow flake or 3 degree guidance in my scan; and the Captain not catching my error in his monitoring cross check. The undesired aircraft state was being 4;000 FT too high above our crossing fix.I should; as I usually do; begin descending immediately when assigned crossing fixes. I should; if planning a 3 degree descent; ask the Captain to remind me if he sees me not acting at the 3 degree descent point. I should be aware that conversation; though good in keeping the mind active; also leads to distraction from flying responsibilities especially during low levels of activity; such as at cruise.

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.

Attributes
ACN	1047918
Time
Date	201211
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	DTW.Airport
State Reference	MI
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Dawn
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Commercial Fixed Wing
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Descent
Route In Use	STAR POLAR3
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	First Officer Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

Air carrier flight crew failed to initiate descent in time to make assigned crossing restriction on the POLAR3 arrival into dtw.