Altitude deviation. Overshoot in descent.

Attributes
ACN	144759
Time
Date	199005
Day	Thu
Local Time Of Day	1801 To 2400
Place
Locale Reference	airport : iah
State Reference	TX
Altitude	msl bound lower : 5300 msl bound upper : 6000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Dusk
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : iah
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	Medium Large Transport, Low Wing, 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Phase	descent other
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : first officer
Qualification	pilot : atp
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 160 flight time total : 8000 flight time type : 2000
ASRS Report	144759
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : atp
Events
Anomaly	altitude deviation : overshoot non adherence : clearance non adherence : far other anomaly other
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	flight crew : returned to intended course or assigned course
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

We were between overcast layers (about 8000' over and 2500' overcast). Approach had called out traffic at 2 O'clock, 15 mi. We must have been about 6500' or so descending to 6000'. I was looking for traffic when I felt the aircraft start to climb. I looked down at my altitude, then the captain's altitude to x-chk. We were climbing out of 5300', back to 6000'. I turned the altitude reporting off at that time. When we were level I turned it back on. This is my second report in 3 day's time with this captain. He said he hasn't felt good all 3 days. I guess I need to really watch this guy when he's flying, and that I am doing now!!!

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ALT DEVIATION. OVERSHOOT IN DESCENT.

Narrative: WE WERE BTWN OVCST LAYERS (ABOUT 8000' OVER AND 2500' OVCST). APCH HAD CALLED OUT TFC AT 2 O'CLOCK, 15 MI. WE MUST HAVE BEEN ABOUT 6500' OR SO DSNDING TO 6000'. I WAS LOOKING FOR TFC WHEN I FELT THE ACFT START TO CLB. I LOOKED DOWN AT MY ALT, THEN THE CAPT'S ALT TO X-CHK. WE WERE CLBING OUT OF 5300', BACK TO 6000'. I TURNED THE ALT RPTING OFF AT THAT TIME. WHEN WE WERE LEVEL I TURNED IT BACK ON. THIS IS MY SECOND RPT IN 3 DAY'S TIME WITH THIS CAPT. HE SAID HE HASN'T FELT GOOD ALL 3 DAYS. I GUESS I NEED TO REALLY WATCH THIS GUY WHEN HE'S FLYING, AND THAT I AM DOING NOW!!!

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.