Altitude excursion from assigned altitude.

Attributes
ACN	302303
Time
Date	199504
Day	Wed
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : clt
State Reference	NC
Altitude	msl bound lower : 22000 msl bound upper : 23000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : ztl tower : atl
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	Brasilia EMB-120 All Series
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Navigation In Use	Other Other
Flight Phase	cruise other descent other
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : first officer
Qualification	pilot : atp pilot : commercial pilot : instrument
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 210 flight time total : 5800 flight time type : 2500
ASRS Report	302303
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : instrument pilot : atp pilot : commercial
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 240 flight time total : 15000 flight time type : 2500
ASRS Report	302302
Events
Anomaly	altitude deviation : excursion from assigned altitude non adherence : clearance other anomaly other
Independent Detector	other controllera
Resolutory Action	controller : issued new clearance other
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

ATC cleared us from FL230 to 17000 ft, our readback also reflected this. Descending through FL223, ATC said 'check altitude.' we leveled at FL220 which the controller requested. We tried to clarify the problem but the controller was working 2 frequencys and was very busy. In about another 2 mins we were handed off to next controller. Supplemental information from acn 302302: air carrier descended to 17000 ft. As we were descending through FL220, ZTL said 'air carrier check your altitude!' we immediately leveled at FL220 and I tried to clarify the problem. The controller said he was working 2 frequencys and was swamped. We were then switched to another frequency.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ALT EXCURSION FROM ASSIGNED ALT.

Narrative: ATC CLRED US FROM FL230 TO 17000 FT, OUR READBACK ALSO REFLECTED THIS. DSNDING THROUGH FL223, ATC SAID 'CHK ALT.' WE LEVELED AT FL220 WHICH THE CTLR REQUESTED. WE TRIED TO CLARIFY THE PROB BUT THE CTLR WAS WORKING 2 FREQS AND WAS VERY BUSY. IN ABOUT ANOTHER 2 MINS WE WERE HANDED OFF TO NEXT CTLR. SUPPLEMENTAL INFO FROM ACN 302302: ACR DSNDED TO 17000 FT. AS WE WERE DSNDING THROUGH FL220, ZTL SAID 'ACR CHK YOUR ALT!' WE IMMEDIATELY LEVELED AT FL220 AND I TRIED TO CLARIFY THE PROB. THE CTLR SAID HE WAS WORKING 2 FREQS AND WAS SWAMPED. WE WERE THEN SWITCHED TO ANOTHER FREQ.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 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.