Narrative:

On approach to runway 25L at lax; [we] were originally cleared the hollywood 1 arrival and then the ILS 25L. The MCP panel [was] set correctly after we were on an approach segment. We started getting some wake turbulence from the aircraft ahead of us. First officer disconnected autopilot to get out of the turbulence. [We were] then told to only descend to 4;000 feet and look for traffic at 2 o'clock. [We were] unable to see traffic and asked to slow due to wake turbulence. [We were] slowed to 180 knots leveled at 4; 000 feet which started to get up high on the glide slope. [We were] than given 3;400 feet; then 3;100 feet and slow down; report traffic in sight. We were high on the approach and unable to see the traffic; so I asked to get pulled off the approach or cleared for the approach. [We were] to turn to a 140 heading and climb to 4;000 feet. High work load as we tried to comply with instructions; fly the aircraft; and listen to ATC. Cleaned up aircraft turned and climbed but went to 4.400 feet as the new altitude was set in MCP panel and leveled off and descended to cleared altitude. Finished the go around procedure and sequenced for another approach. Was told they needed to get the other aircraft ahead of us due to a medical emergency. High work load on the go-around with just a small altitude change.

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737NG Captain reported an altitude overshoot during a go-around at LAX.

Narrative: On approach to RWY 25L at LAX; [we] were originally cleared the Hollywood 1 arrival and then the ILS 25L. The MCP panel [was] set correctly after we were on an approach segment. We started getting some wake turbulence from the aircraft ahead of us. First Officer disconnected autopilot to get out of the turbulence. [We were] then told to only descend to 4;000 feet and look for traffic at 2 o'clock. [We were] unable to see traffic and asked to slow due to wake turbulence. [We were] slowed to 180 knots leveled at 4; 000 feet which started to get up high on the glide slope. [We were] than given 3;400 feet; then 3;100 feet and slow down; report traffic in sight. We were high on the approach and unable to see the traffic; so I asked to get pulled off the approach or cleared for the approach. [We were] to turn to a 140 heading and climb to 4;000 feet. High work load as we tried to comply with instructions; fly the aircraft; and listen to ATC. Cleaned up aircraft turned and climbed but went to 4.400 feet as the new altitude was set in MCP panel and leveled off and descended to cleared altitude. Finished the go around procedure and sequenced for another approach. Was told they needed to get the other aircraft ahead of us due to a medical emergency. High work load on the go-around with just a small altitude change.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.