DC9 crew was cleared to altitude not intended by ARTCC radar controller in ZME class a.

Attributes
ACN	489840
Time
Date	200010
Day	Mon
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	navaid : sqs.vortac
State Reference	MS
Altitude	msl bound lower : 22000 msl bound upper : 23000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : zme.artcc
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	DC-9 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Navigation In Use	other vortac
Flight Phase	climbout : vacating altitude
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : first officer
Qualification	pilot : atp
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 160 flight time total : 6000 flight time type : 500
ASRS Report	489840
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : atp
Events
Anomaly	non adherence : published procedure other anomaly other
Independent Detector	other controllera
Resolutory Action	controller : issued alert controller : issued new clearance none taken : detected after the fact
Supplementary
Problem Areas	ATC Human Performance
Primary Problem	ATC Human Performance

Narrative:

Revenue flight from memphis, tn, to jackson, ms, ZME cleared us to climb to FL230. FL230 was set in the altitude alerter and acknowledged by both pilots. Passing FL227 ZME called and cleared us down to FL220. We checked flight plan. Planned altitude was FL220. Called center and asked if caused any conflict. They said no. Both pilots certain initial cleared altitude was FL230.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: DC9 CREW WAS CLRED TO ALT NOT INTENDED BY ARTCC RADAR CTLR IN ZME CLASS A.

Narrative: REVENUE FLT FROM MEMPHIS, TN, TO JACKSON, MS, ZME CLRED US TO CLB TO FL230. FL230 WAS SET IN THE ALT ALERTER AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY BOTH PLTS. PASSING FL227 ZME CALLED AND CLRED US DOWN TO FL220. WE CHKED FLT PLAN. PLANNED ALT WAS FL220. CALLED CTR AND ASKED IF CAUSED ANY CONFLICT. THEY SAID NO. BOTH PLTS CERTAIN INITIAL CLRED ALT WAS FL230.

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.