B737-200 crew descends below assigned altitude while configuring for approach.

Attributes
ACN	434110
Time
Date	199904
Day	Thu
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	airport : hou.airport
State Reference	TX
Altitude	msl bound lower : 1900 msl bound upper : 2100
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : i90.tracon tower : hou&.tower
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	B737-200
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Route In Use	approach : visual
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : first officer
Qualification	pilot : atp
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 270 flight time total : 6000 flight time type : 4500
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : atp
Events
Anomaly	altitude deviation : excursion from assigned altitude
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	none taken : anomaly accepted
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Weather Aircraft Flight Crew Human Performance
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

We were cleared for a visual approach to runway 30L at hobby on a clear VFR day. The approach controller told us to remain at or above 2100 ft until 5 mi and to contact tower. Upon contacting tower, they immediately told us to begin slowing to allow for another departure. It was also very windy this day. We began slowing to final approach speed and accomplished the landing checklist. In the meantime, we had descended to about 1900 ft at 5 NM. I feel that in order to help out tower by slowing, we let the 2100 ft restr slip by.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737-200 CREW DSNDS BELOW ASSIGNED ALT WHILE CONFIGURING FOR APCH.

Narrative: WE WERE CLRED FOR A VISUAL APCH TO RWY 30L AT HOBBY ON A CLR VFR DAY. THE APCH CTLR TOLD US TO REMAIN AT OR ABOVE 2100 FT UNTIL 5 MI AND TO CONTACT TWR. UPON CONTACTING TWR, THEY IMMEDIATELY TOLD US TO BEGIN SLOWING TO ALLOW FOR ANOTHER DEP. IT WAS ALSO VERY WINDY THIS DAY. WE BEGAN SLOWING TO FINAL APCH SPD AND ACCOMPLISHED THE LNDG CHKLIST. IN THE MEANTIME, WE HAD DSNDED TO ABOUT 1900 FT AT 5 NM. I FEEL THAT IN ORDER TO HELP OUT TWR BY SLOWING, WE LET THE 2100 FT RESTR SLIP BY.

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.