MD83 flight crew reports confusion over the crossing restrictions printed in the box next to witla o...

Narrative:

It was the co-pilots leg departing runway 1R at las on the boach four RNAV to hector. Our altitude clearance; per the SID; was up to FL190. In the climb; and nearing witla intersection; I noticed a B737 approaching from the right. Noting that our closure was going to produce a TA/RA; I quickly notified ATC trying to alleviate a TA/RA advisory. At the same time I consulted the departure plate to see what we had done wrong and to verify our altitude restrictions. Before ATC could respond; a TA/RA occurred that advised us to descend. While complying with the TA/RA; ATC directed us to descend to 10;000 ft and comply with the rest of the SID restrictions. The flight continued without further issues. I do not recall our altitude at the time of the TA/RA; but we were above the 10;000 ft restriction. Upon review of the departure plate; I quickly noticed that the witla intersection altitude restriction had been compromised. I also noticed that the witla intersection altitude restriction has a different depiction than I am used to seeing. The 'at or below 10;000 (ATC)' in one box and an 'at or above 7;900' in a completely different box; was a bit confusing. I am guessing that my co-pilot saw only the bottom box of 'at or above 7;900.' at first glance; I too; saw the bottom box as the restricting altitude. We did brief the departure and altitude restrictions prior to departure; but apparently not thoroughly enough.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: MD83 flight crew reports confusion over the crossing restrictions printed in the box next to WITLA on the BOACH 4 RNAV departure from LAS. The upper limit is exceeded resulting in a TCAS RA with an inbound B737.

Narrative: It was the co-pilots leg departing Runway 1R at LAS on the Boach Four RNAV to Hector. Our altitude clearance; per the SID; was up to FL190. In the climb; and nearing WITLA Intersection; I noticed a B737 approaching from the right. Noting that our closure was going to produce a TA/RA; I quickly notified ATC trying to alleviate a TA/RA advisory. At the same time I consulted the departure plate to see what we had done wrong and to verify our altitude restrictions. Before ATC could respond; a TA/RA occurred that advised us to descend. While complying with the TA/RA; ATC directed us to descend to 10;000 FT and comply with the rest of the SID restrictions. The flight continued without further issues. I do not recall our altitude at the time of the TA/RA; but we were above the 10;000 FT restriction. Upon review of the departure plate; I quickly noticed that the WITLA Intersection altitude restriction had been compromised. I also noticed that the WITLA Intersection altitude restriction has a different depiction than I am used to seeing. The 'At or below 10;000 (ATC)' in one box and an 'At or above 7;900' in a completely different box; was a bit confusing. I am guessing that my co-pilot saw only the bottom box of 'At or above 7;900.' At first glance; I too; saw the bottom box as the restricting altitude. We did brief the departure and altitude restrictions prior to departure; but apparently not thoroughly enough.

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	929447
Time
Date	201101
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	LAS.Airport
State Reference	NV
Environment
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	MD-83
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Climb
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Person 2
Function	Pilot Flying First Officer
Events
Anomaly	Conflict Airborne Conflict Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met Deviation - Altitude Overshoot Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Deviation - Procedural Clearance

MD83 flight crew reports confusion over the crossing restrictions printed in the box next to witla on the boach 4 RNAV departure from las. The upper limit is exceeded resulting in a TCAS RA with an inbound B737.