Descending to 5000 ft, crew was informed by approach, 7000 ft was their assigned altitude.

Attributes
ACN	491852
Time
Date	200011
Day	Tue
Local Time Of Day	1801 To 2400
Place
Locale Reference	airport : ind.airport
State Reference	IN
Altitude	msl bound lower : 5500 msl bound upper : 7000
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Weather Elements	Snow Ice Turbulence
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : ind.tracon
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	B737-300
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Navigation In Use	other
Flight Phase	descent : vacating altitude
Route In Use	arrival : on vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : flight engineer pilot : atp
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 240 flight time total : 21000 flight time type : 16000
ASRS Report	491852
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : first officer
Qualification	pilot : commercial pilot : instrument pilot : multi engine
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 250 flight time total : 9600 flight time type : 6200
ASRS Report	491850
Events
Anomaly	altitude deviation : excursion from assigned altitude inflight encounter : turbulence inflight encounter : weather non adherence : published procedure other anomaly other
Independent Detector	other controllera
Resolutory Action	controller : issued new clearance none taken : detected after the fact
Consequence	faa : reviewed incident with flight crew other
Supplementary
Problem Areas	ATC Human Performance Flight Crew Human Performance
Primary Problem	ATC Human Performance

Narrative:

While at 10000 ft on a 080 degree heading I was told by ind approach to turn left to a 055 degree heading and descend to 5000 ft. At 5500 ft approach asked for my altitude and I said 5500 ft for 5000 ft. Approach said I should be at 7000 ft. I said I thought I was cleared to 5000 ft. The controller said 'ok' then maintain 5000 ft. Nothing else was said about this incident by the controller or myself.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: DSNDING TO 5000 FT, CREW WAS INFORMED BY APCH, 7000 FT WAS THEIR ASSIGNED ALT.

Narrative: WHILE AT 10000 FT ON A 080 DEG HDG I WAS TOLD BY IND APCH TO TURN L TO A 055 DEG HDG AND DSND TO 5000 FT. AT 5500 FT APCH ASKED FOR MY ALT AND I SAID 5500 FT FOR 5000 FT. APCH SAID I SHOULD BE AT 7000 FT. I SAID I THOUGHT I WAS CLRED TO 5000 FT. THE CTLR SAID 'OK' THEN MAINTAIN 5000 FT. NOTHING ELSE WAS SAID ABOUT THIS INCIDENT BY THE CTLR OR MYSELF.

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.