 |
37000 Feet | Browse and search NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System |
|
Distracted by a cracked cockpit window while at FL270; and anxious to reduce pressurization differential; the pilot of a PA-46 failed to arrest his descent at FL240 as cleared.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1074214 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201303 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZKC.ARTCC |
| State Reference | KS |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | PA-46 Malibu Meridian |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Descent |
| Route In Use | Direct |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Cockpit Window |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Single Pilot Pilot Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Multiengine |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 60 Flight Crew Total 7300 Flight Crew Type 900 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Deviation - Altitude Overshoot Deviation - Procedural Clearance |
Narrative:
Upon reaching FL270 on a demo flight the pilot's side window cracked. The airplane was at its certified ceiling and maximum psi. I immediately asked for lower and direct back to our departure airport. ATC cleared us direct and to descend to FL240. We were then switched to a new frequency. I was expecting something lower and didn't catch that we were only cleared to 24;000. I was focused on reducing the cabin pressure to prevent the window from coming apart.I started a rapid descent and switched frequencies. I realized when checking on I didn't remember the assigned altitude. We were already lower than FL240. I informed the controller we had a cracked window and needed lower. ATC cleared us to 6;000 ft. I believe the cause of the deviation was due to not enough attention being paid to ATC while distracted by a potential emergency. I think better communication about our condition with a more specific request would have allowed a lower altitude quicker and prevented the deviation.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: Distracted by a cracked cockpit window while at FL270; and anxious to reduce pressurization differential; the pilot of a PA-46 failed to arrest his descent at FL240 as cleared.
Narrative: Upon reaching FL270 on a demo flight the pilot's side window cracked. The airplane was at its certified ceiling and maximum PSI. I immediately asked for lower and direct back to our departure airport. ATC cleared us direct and to descend to FL240. We were then switched to a new frequency. I was expecting something lower and didn't catch that we were only cleared to 24;000. I was focused on reducing the cabin pressure to prevent the window from coming apart.I started a rapid descent and switched frequencies. I realized when checking on I didn't remember the assigned altitude. We were already lower than FL240. I informed the Controller we had a cracked window and needed lower. ATC cleared us to 6;000 FT. I believe the cause of the deviation was due to not enough attention being paid to ATC while distracted by a potential emergency. I think better communication about our condition with a more specific request would have allowed a lower altitude quicker and prevented the deviation.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 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.