An A320 in cruise has to be reminded by ZDC controller to start descent now.

Attributes
ACN	438340
Time
Date	199905
Day	Tue
Local Time Of Day	1801 To 2400
Place
Locale Reference	airport : phl.airport
State Reference	PA
Altitude	msl bound lower : 29000 msl bound upper : 31000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : zdc.artcc
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	A320
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Navigation In Use	other
Flight Phase	cruise : level
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : first officer
Qualification	pilot : atp pilot : multi engine
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 240 flight time total : 5500 flight time type : 240
ASRS Report	438340
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : atp
Events
Anomaly	altitude deviation : undershoot non adherence : clearance
Independent Detector	other controllera
Resolutory Action	controller : issued alert
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Environmental Factor Flight Crew Human Performance
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

I was the PF on flight from phx to phl. As we neared phl approximately 120 NM west. We were told to slow to our slowest practical speed, then we were told to descend to FL290 and make a right 360 degree turn. I started the turn and the selected FL290 in our altitude window of the FCU for the autoplt. As per company procedures, the altitude was confirmed with the captain before the selector knob was pulled which would cause the autoplt to begin the descent to FL290, after what may have been 5 mins or so. Center said in a somewhat commanding voice descend to FL290. We both realized I had set FL290 correctly in the autoplt FCU but had failed to engage the descent to FL290 and we were still at our present altitude. I believe I became distraction with making so many changes such as slowing, turning 360 degrees and watching for traffic. Forgot to verify that the autoplt actually started the aircraft towards FL290.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: AN A320 IN CRUISE HAS TO BE REMINDED BY ZDC CTLR TO START DSCNT NOW.

Narrative: I WAS THE PF ON FLT FROM PHX TO PHL. AS WE NEARED PHL APPROX 120 NM W. WE WERE TOLD TO SLOW TO OUR SLOWEST PRACTICAL SPD, THEN WE WERE TOLD TO DSND TO FL290 AND MAKE A R 360 DEG TURN. I STARTED THE TURN AND THE SELECTED FL290 IN OUR ALT WINDOW OF THE FCU FOR THE AUTOPLT. AS PER COMPANY PROCS, THE ALT WAS CONFIRMED WITH THE CAPT BEFORE THE SELECTOR KNOB WAS PULLED WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE AUTOPLT TO BEGIN THE DSCNT TO FL290, AFTER WHAT MAY HAVE BEEN 5 MINS OR SO. CTR SAID IN A SOMEWHAT COMMANDING VOICE DSND TO FL290. WE BOTH REALIZED I HAD SET FL290 CORRECTLY IN THE AUTOPLT FCU BUT HAD FAILED TO ENGAGE THE DSCNT TO FL290 AND WE WERE STILL AT OUR PRESENT ALT. I BELIEVE I BECAME DISTR WITH MAKING SO MANY CHANGES SUCH AS SLOWING, TURNING 360 DEGS AND WATCHING FOR TFC. FORGOT TO VERIFY THAT THE AUTOPLT ACTUALLY STARTED THE ACFT TOWARDS FL290.

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.