Small transport pilot forgets to set altimeter for takeoff.

Attributes
ACN	128705
Time
Date	198911
Day	Thu
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : cmk
State Reference	NY
Altitude	msl bound lower : 2600 msl bound upper : 3000
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : n90
Operator	common carrier : air taxi
Make Model Name	Small Transport, Low Wing, 2 Recip Eng
Flight Phase	cruise other
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : atp
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 200 flight time total : 9000 flight time type : 500
ASRS Report	128705
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : approach
Qualification	controller : radar
Events
Anomaly	altitude deviation : undershoot non adherence : clearance non adherence : published procedure other anomaly other
Independent Detector	other controllera
Resolutory Action	controller : issued new clearance flight crew : returned to intended course or assigned course other
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

IFR flight isp-hpn, approximately 1/2-way between airports cruising on a radar vector, assigned altitude 3000'. Although I listened to isp ATIS, and copied down information, including current altimeter, I neglected to dial it in the kollsman window (barometric pressure). I do not remember if ATC ever verbally gave me current altimeter before takeoff. There are some things that I do automatically before taxi: flaps set for takeoff, altimeter, etc. This time I didn't set the altimeter, and since I was already taxiing, I felt that I must have done so. Ny approach control informed me I was 400' below assigned altitude and gave me current altimeter. I reset altimeter and corrected altitude. Ny approach control asked me my current altimeter setting, and edge to his voice. Now to lie, or tell the truth...I told the truth. I don't believe there were any conflicts with traffic. WX, IMC, moderate to severe turbulence, wind shear reported. I was handed off 3 or 4 times, and not 1 controller gave me a current altimeter until final controller, hpn approach.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: SMT PLT FORGETS TO SET ALTIMETER FOR TKOF.

Narrative: IFR FLT ISP-HPN, APPROX 1/2-WAY BTWN ARPTS CRUISING ON A RADAR VECTOR, ASSIGNED ALT 3000'. ALTHOUGH I LISTENED TO ISP ATIS, AND COPIED DOWN INFO, INCLUDING CURRENT ALTIMETER, I NEGLECTED TO DIAL IT IN THE KOLLSMAN WINDOW (BAROMETRIC PRESSURE). I DO NOT REMEMBER IF ATC EVER VERBALLY GAVE ME CURRENT ALTIMETER BEFORE TKOF. THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT I DO AUTOMATICALLY BEFORE TAXI: FLAPS SET FOR TKOF, ALTIMETER, ETC. THIS TIME I DIDN'T SET THE ALTIMETER, AND SINCE I WAS ALREADY TAXIING, I FELT THAT I MUST HAVE DONE SO. NY APCH CTL INFORMED ME I WAS 400' BELOW ASSIGNED ALT AND GAVE ME CURRENT ALTIMETER. I RESET ALTIMETER AND CORRECTED ALT. NY APCH CTL ASKED ME MY CURRENT ALTIMETER SETTING, AND EDGE TO HIS VOICE. NOW TO LIE, OR TELL THE TRUTH...I TOLD THE TRUTH. I DON'T BELIEVE THERE WERE ANY CONFLICTS WITH TFC. WX, IMC, MODERATE TO SEVERE TURB, WIND SHEAR RPTED. I WAS HANDED OFF 3 OR 4 TIMES, AND NOT 1 CTLR GAVE ME A CURRENT ALTIMETER UNTIL FINAL CTLR, HPN APCH.

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.