B737-700 captain reported a communications breakdown between flight crew and ATC which resulted in a...

Narrative:

We were on the ZZZZZ5. The previous frequency gave us an altitude clearance to cross zzzzz at fl 240. In the descent; we were given a frequency change. Upon checking in; we gave our clearance limit to cross zzzzz at FL240. A little later; ATC gave us the clearance 'descend to flight level 200.' the pilot monitoring read back 'descend to fl 200.' using vvmi; pilot flying verbalized 'descend to fl 200;' as 200 was set in the MCP. Pilot monitoring verified 200 in the MCP. To keep the aircraft from leveling off early; the pilot flying verbalized using the altitude intervention button to get rid of the altitude restrictions zzzzz fl 240; ZZZZZ1 fl 230; and ZZZZZ3 fl 220. Pilot monitoring verified. Both pilot flying and pilot monitoring verified VNAV path. As we got closer to zzzzz; ATC queried if we were going to cross zzzzz at fl 240. Pilot monitoring stated that 'negative; we were given descend to fl 200.' ATC stated that 'the descend to fl 200 was after zzzzz and to expedite to fl 200 for crossing traffic.' pilot flying expedited to FL200. We crossed zzzzz at fl 264. We landed at our destination without further incident. Using rrm and abcd; we debriefed that we heard and read back 'descend to fl 200.' which deleted any previous altitude restrictions. We also discussed that we believed that the controller may have intended for the zzzzz restriction; but did not used the terminology 'after zzzzz; descend to fl 200.'

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737-700 Captain reported a communications breakdown between flight crew and ATC which resulted in a crossing altitude misunderstanding due to a 'descend to' clearance.

Narrative: We were on the ZZZZZ5. The previous frequency gave us an altitude clearance to cross ZZZZZ at FL 240. In the descent; we were given a frequency change. Upon checking in; we gave our clearance limit to cross ZZZZZ at FL240. A little later; ATC gave us the clearance 'Descend to Flight Level 200.' The Pilot Monitoring read back 'Descend to FL 200.' Using VVMI; Pilot Flying verbalized 'Descend to FL 200;' as 200 was set in the MCP. Pilot Monitoring verified 200 in the MCP. To keep the aircraft from leveling off early; the Pilot Flying verbalized using the Altitude Intervention button to get rid of the altitude restrictions ZZZZZ FL 240; ZZZZZ1 FL 230; and ZZZZZ3 FL 220. Pilot Monitoring verified. Both Pilot Flying and Pilot Monitoring verified VNAV PATH. As we got closer to ZZZZZ; ATC queried if we were going to cross ZZZZZ at FL 240. Pilot Monitoring stated that 'Negative; we were given Descend to FL 200.' ATC stated that 'The descend to FL 200 was after ZZZZZ and to expedite to FL 200 for crossing traffic.' Pilot Flying expedited to FL200. We crossed ZZZZZ at FL 264. We landed at our destination without further incident. Using RRM and ABCD; we debriefed that we heard and read back 'Descend to FL 200.' Which deleted any previous altitude restrictions. We also discussed that we believed that the Controller may have intended for the ZZZZZ restriction; but did not used the terminology 'After ZZZZZ; descend to FL 200.'

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	1680292
Time
Date	201908
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	US
Environment
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B737-700
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Descent
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 415 Flight Crew Type 15000
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Deviation - Procedural Clearance

B737-700 captain reported a communications breakdown between flight crew and ATC which resulted in a crossing altitude misunderstanding due to a 'descend to' clearance.