Narrative:

Stopped descent at clearance limit of 14000 ft. Checked in with approach control who said (I think) 'expect visual approach for runway 6R, cleared direct bruny.' I was tired, 5 leg day, WX delays, and WX deviations. Had been on duty 12 hours 40 mins so far. I guess I got visual runway 6R in my mind, so I started down (even though we were too far out to accept a visual). The altitude alerter went off, so I stopped my descent at 13650 ft and asked approach what he cleared us to (altitude). Approach was confused. I was confused -- I knew then I was wrong, so I climbed back to 14000 ft.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: AN MD80 CAPT RPTED BEING CONFUSED ABOUT WHICH ALT TO STOP AT WHEN TALKING TO DAY.

Narrative: STOPPED DSCNT AT CLRNC LIMIT OF 14000 FT. CHKED IN WITH APCH CTL WHO SAID (I THINK) 'EXPECT VISUAL APCH FOR RWY 6R, CLRED DIRECT BRUNY.' I WAS TIRED, 5 LEG DAY, WX DELAYS, AND WX DEVS. HAD BEEN ON DUTY 12 HRS 40 MINS SO FAR. I GUESS I GOT VISUAL RWY 6R IN MY MIND, SO I STARTED DOWN (EVEN THOUGH WE WERE TOO FAR OUT TO ACCEPT A VISUAL). THE ALT ALERTER WENT OFF, SO I STOPPED MY DSCNT AT 13650 FT AND ASKED APCH WHAT HE CLRED US TO (ALT). APCH WAS CONFUSED. I WAS CONFUSED -- I KNEW THEN I WAS WRONG, SO I CLBED BACK TO 14000 FT.

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.