Narrative:

During descent we were cleared to cross 35 east of northbrook VOR at 10000'. Prior to reaching 10000' we were subsequently cleared to descend to 8000'. At about 8500' center said 'level at 8500''. We then saw traffic off the left and passed by about 500' clear of this traffic. Thereafter we descended to 8000' and continued to destination west/O further incident. Center said he thought he had told us to stay at 10000' but I don't think that he ever cancelled the 8000' clearance. 'See and be seen.'

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: CLOSE PROX ACR LGT UNKNOWN ACFT WHILE ON DESCENT TO ORD.

Narrative: DURING DSNT WE WERE CLRED TO CROSS 35 E OF NORTHBROOK VOR AT 10000'. PRIOR TO REACHING 10000' WE WERE SUBSEQUENTLY CLRED TO DSND TO 8000'. AT ABOUT 8500' CTR SAID 'LEVEL AT 8500''. WE THEN SAW TFC OFF THE L AND PASSED BY ABOUT 500' CLR OF THIS TFC. THEREAFTER WE DSNDED TO 8000' AND CONTINUED TO DEST W/O FURTHER INCIDENT. CTR SAID HE THOUGHT HE HAD TOLD US TO STAY AT 10000' BUT I DON'T THINK THAT HE EVER CANCELLED THE 8000' CLRNC. 'SEE AND BE SEEN.'

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.