Altitude deviation excursion from assigned altitude.

Attributes
ACN	114809
Time
Date	198906
Day	Fri
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : ewb airport : nbe
State Reference	TX
Altitude	msl bound lower : 3000 msl bound upper : 7000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : dfw tracon : sna
Operator	other
Make Model Name	Fighter
Flight Phase	descent : approach descent other
Flight Plan	VFR
Person 1
Affiliation	government : military
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : instrument pilot : commercial
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 30 flight time total : 1530 flight time type : 1300
ASRS Report	114809
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : approach
Qualification	controller : radar
Events
Anomaly	altitude deviation : excursion from assigned altitude other anomaly other
Independent Detector	other controllera
Resolutory Action	controller : issued new clearance other
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	ATC Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation Operational Deviation

Narrative:

I was flying an fgt from MCAS el toro to NAS dallas. I had requested an overhead break at NAS dallas, while talking to approach on 256.7, I heard the controller's order for me to descend from 7000' to 3000'. I responded 'XXXX leaving 7000' for 3000'.' shortly thereafter, I was asked to give my altitude. I said, 'XXXX passing 4000' for 3000'.' he said, 'I don't know where you got 3000', stay at 4000'.' soon I was told to climb back to 7000' again. The problem was caused by a lack of good communication. The approach controller was busy. I repeated something the controller didn't believe he said, but it didn't register with him.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ALT DEVIATION EXCURSION FROM ASSIGNED ALT.

Narrative: I WAS FLYING AN FGT FROM MCAS EL TORO TO NAS DALLAS. I HAD REQUESTED AN OVERHEAD BREAK AT NAS DALLAS, WHILE TALKING TO APCH ON 256.7, I HEARD THE CTLR'S ORDER FOR ME TO DSND FROM 7000' TO 3000'. I RESPONDED 'XXXX LEAVING 7000' FOR 3000'.' SHORTLY THEREAFTER, I WAS ASKED TO GIVE MY ALT. I SAID, 'XXXX PASSING 4000' FOR 3000'.' HE SAID, 'I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU GOT 3000', STAY AT 4000'.' SOON I WAS TOLD TO CLIMB BACK TO 7000' AGAIN. THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A LACK OF GOOD COM. THE APCH CTLR WAS BUSY. I REPEATED SOMETHING THE CTLR DIDN'T BELIEVE HE SAID, BUT IT DIDN'T REGISTER WITH HIM.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of August 2007 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.