Emb-145 first officer reported an altitude deviation occurred on arrival into iah when they descende...

Narrative:

While descending via the ZEEKK2 RNAV arrival we were cleared for the runway 26L transition. Before reaching bozzz we were cleared for the ILS 26L [and] at that time the captain set 3;000 feet on the altitude selector. He requested [that I] verify we were cleared for the approach. I called approach to verify the clearance [and] approach confirmed that we were cleared for the approach and to maintain current speed. About a minute later we were given a heading to fly and were asked if we saw the altitude at mkaye. At this time we were around 5;000 feet [and] the captain selected 4;000 as we were being vectored around to re-intercept the localizer for 26L. Shortly thereafter we were cleared for the visual approach 26L. Vertical deviation. Selecting 3;000 when cleared for the approach instead of flying the transition altitudes. When cleared for the approach always fly the transition altitude unless directed by approach to do otherwise. Better communication between the pilot flying and pilot monitoring.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: EMB-145 First officer reported an altitude deviation occurred on arrival into IAH when they descended below charted altitude on the ZEEKK2 RNAV arrival.

Narrative: While descending via the ZEEKK2 RNAV arrival we were cleared for the Runway 26L transition. Before reaching BOZZZ we were cleared for the ILS 26L [and] at that time the Captain set 3;000 feet on the altitude selector. He requested [that I] verify we were cleared for the approach. I called Approach to verify the clearance [and] Approach confirmed that we were cleared for the approach and to maintain current speed. About a minute later we were given a heading to fly and were asked if we saw the altitude at MKAYE. At this time we were around 5;000 feet [and] the Captain selected 4;000 as we were being vectored around to re-intercept the LOC for 26L. Shortly thereafter we were cleared for the visual approach 26L. Vertical deviation. Selecting 3;000 when cleared for the approach instead of flying the transition altitudes. When cleared for the approach always fly the transition altitude unless directed by Approach to do otherwise. Better communication between the pilot flying and pilot monitoring.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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	1628273
Time
Date	201903
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	IAH.Airport
State Reference	TX
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Pilot Not Flying First Officer
Qualification	Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Deviation - Procedural Clearance

Emb-145 first officer reported an altitude deviation occurred on arrival into iah when they descended below charted altitude on the ZEEKK2 RNAV arrival.