Misinterpret clearance to cross dpk at or below 15000.

Attributes
ACN	190778
Time
Date	199110
Day	Thu
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : dpk
State Reference	NY
Altitude	msl bound lower : 14000 msl bound upper : 15000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : zny
Operator	general aviation : corporate
Make Model Name	Light Transport, Low Wing, 2 Turbojet Eng
Navigation In Use	Other
Flight Phase	descent other
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : atp
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 50 flight time total : 12000 flight time type : 2500
ASRS Report	190778
Person 2
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : first officer
Qualification	pilot : commercial pilot : cfi pilot : atp
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 50 flight time total : 11000 flight time type : 800
ASRS Report	191129
Events
Anomaly	altitude deviation : crossing restriction not met altitude deviation : overshoot non adherence : clearance
Independent Detector	other controllera
Resolutory Action	controller : issued new clearance other
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

Given clearance to cross dpk VOR at 15000 ft, subsequently cleared to cross gweny intersection at 11000 ft both crew members understood new clearance to mean dpk at or below 15000 ft, passing dpk at 14000 ft. Controller advised we were to maintain 15000 ft until passing dpk. Misunderstanding is built into the system at this point because controllers are always asking for best rate in this area and we've come to expect requests for rapid dscnts. Supplemental information from acn 191129: in the confusion, the aircraft overshot the 069 degree radial of dpk slightly.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: MISINTERPRET CLRNC TO CROSS DPK AT OR BELOW 15000.

Narrative: GIVEN CLRNC TO CROSS DPK VOR AT 15000 FT, SUBSEQUENTLY CLRED TO CROSS GWENY INTXN AT 11000 FT BOTH CREW MEMBERS UNDERSTOOD NEW CLRNC TO MEAN DPK AT OR BELOW 15000 FT, PASSING DPK AT 14000 FT. CTLR ADVISED WE WERE TO MAINTAIN 15000 FT UNTIL PASSING DPK. MISUNDERSTANDING IS BUILT INTO THE SYS AT THIS POINT BECAUSE CTLRS ARE ALWAYS ASKING FOR BEST RATE IN THIS AREA AND WE'VE COME TO EXPECT REQUESTS FOR RAPID DSCNTS. SUPPLEMENTAL INFO FROM ACN 191129: IN THE CONFUSION, THE ACFT OVERSHOT THE 069 DEG RADIAL OF DPK SLIGHTLY.

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.