A320 flight crew reports missetting the altimeters descending through FL180; resulting in the aircra...

Attributes
ACN	983667
Time
Date	201112
Local Time Of Day	0001-0600
Place
Locale Reference	SCT.TRACON
State Reference	CA
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	A320
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Descent
Component
Aircraft Component	Altimeter
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying First Officer
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 157 Flight Crew Total 12280 Flight Crew Type 8200
Person 2
Function	Captain Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200 Flight Crew Total 13500 Flight Crew Type 9700
Events
Anomaly	Deviation - Altitude Overshoot Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

Narrative:

Incorrect altimeter setting entered into FCU (30.32) versus the correct setting (29.92) during descent on the LYNDI2 arrival into san descending through FL180. The captain (pilot not flying) missed/provided incorrect setting during the descent checklist; and the pilot flying also did not double check to ensure the correct altimeter was set. In addition; during altitude changes assigned by ATC; the captain set the altitude and pulled or pushed to initiate the descent without the concurrence or verification (finger pointing to the correct altitude) of the pilot flying. As a result of the incorrect altimeter setting in the FCU; several altitudes on the arrival were crossed below the minimum altitude restrictions. Probably the most notable human factor was the constant and continuous talking from the captain during the descent phase which may have been a contributing factor to missing the correct altimeter setting.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A320 flight crew reports missetting the altimeters descending through FL180; resulting in the aircraft being at least 400 FT low during all phases of the arrival and initial approach. The error is detected and corrected once established on the LOC.

Narrative: Incorrect altimeter setting entered into FCU (30.32) versus the correct setting (29.92) during descent on the LYNDI2 arrival into SAN descending through FL180. The Captain (pilot not flying) missed/provided incorrect setting during the descent checklist; and the pilot flying also did not double check to ensure the correct altimeter was set. In addition; during altitude changes assigned by ATC; the Captain set the altitude and pulled or pushed to initiate the descent without the concurrence or verification (finger pointing to the correct altitude) of the pilot flying. As a result of the incorrect altimeter setting in the FCU; several altitudes on the arrival were crossed below the minimum altitude restrictions. Probably the most notable human factor was the constant and continuous talking from the Captain during the descent phase which may have been a contributing factor to missing the correct altimeter setting.

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.

A320 flight crew reports missetting the altimeters descending through FL180; resulting in the aircraft being at least 400 ft low during all phases of the arrival and initial approach. The error is detected and corrected once established on the localizer.