A CRJ700 crew failed to begin a descent to make a previously issued altitude constraint until remind...

Narrative:

ATC advised that this was not a problem but we have decided to report this anyway. We were issued a 'pre' clearance to cross at the intersection at FL240. In other words; this clearance came a long time before we needed to descend. We had planned on descending at around 1;500 FPM; but just as we got to that point; the flying pilots watch fell apart into several pieces causing a distraction at the exact moment we planned on descending. We both missed our descent until ATC called just as we were nearing the intersection. We immediately descended from FL290 to FL240 within 3-5 miles past the intersection. Again; the controller said there was no problem and to 'not worry about it'. With almost 27;000 hours of flight time this is actually my first time with an incident like this. Situational awareness was not properly maintained by myself; the pilot in command. A pilot's watch coming apart should never distract a pilot from their flight duties; period. We were fortunate that no conflict occurred and that it was most likely a descent for a center airspace change than for traffic. There were no TCAS targets on our screen at the time. Don't get distracted by the little stuff. Heads up. That's why there are two of us up there. When both pilots are distracted by something; nobody is flying the plane. Remember [an air carrier] going down in the everglades because all 3 crew members were dealing with a burned out gear position bulb. Remember.....I have the controls.....you have the controls. We do that for a very good reason. I let myself down and let my crew member down by not complying with that simple mantra.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A CRJ700 crew failed to begin a descent to make a previously issued altitude constraint until reminded by ATC because they became distracted by the disintegration of the First Officer's watch.

Narrative: ATC advised that this was not a problem but we have decided to report this anyway. We were issued a 'pre' clearance to cross at the intersection at FL240. In other words; this clearance came a long time before we needed to descend. We had planned on descending at around 1;500 FPM; but just as we got to that point; the flying pilots watch fell apart into several pieces causing a distraction at the exact moment we planned on descending. We both missed our descent until ATC called just as we were nearing the intersection. We immediately descended from FL290 to FL240 within 3-5 miles past the intersection. Again; the Controller said there was no problem and to 'NOT WORRY ABOUT IT'. With almost 27;000 hours of flight time this is actually my first time with an incident like this. Situational awareness was not properly maintained by myself; the pilot in command. A pilot's watch coming apart should NEVER distract a pilot from their flight duties; period. We were fortunate that no conflict occurred and that it was most likely a descent for a Center airspace change than for traffic. There were NO TCAS targets on our screen at the time. DON'T GET DISTRACTED BY THE LITTLE STUFF. HEADS UP. That's why there are two of us up there. When both pilots are distracted by something; nobody is flying the plane. Remember [an air carrier] going down in the Everglades because all 3 crew members were dealing with a burned out gear position bulb. Remember.....I have the controls.....you have the controls. We do that for a very good reason. I let myself down and let my crew member down by not complying with that simple mantra.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.

Attributes
ACN	917857
Time
Date	201011
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Regional Jet 700 ER/LR (CRJ700)
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Pilot Not Flying Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Total 26700
Person 2
Function	First Officer Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 175 Flight Crew Total 7800 Flight Crew Type 2300
Events
Anomaly	Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met Deviation - Procedural Clearance Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown

A CRJ700 crew failed to begin a descent to make a previously issued altitude constraint until reminded by ATC because they became distracted by the disintegration of the first officer's watch.