Medium large transport fails to descend as assigned.

Attributes
ACN	274219
Time
Date	199406
Day	Sat
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : psk
State Reference	VA
Altitude	msl bound lower : 31000 msl bound upper : 35000
Environment
Flight Conditions	Mixed
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : ztl
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	Commercial Fixed Wing
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Navigation In Use	Other Other
Flight Phase	cruise other descent other
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : atp
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 50 flight time total : 6000 flight time type : 50
ASRS Report	274219
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : first officer
Qualification	pilot : atp pilot : commercial pilot : instrument
Events
Anomaly	non adherence : clearance
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	flight crew : returned to intended course or assigned course flight crew : became reoriented
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

At 35000 ft, ATC gave descent clearance to 31000 ft. The new altitude was set in the window by me. The first officer failed to initiate the descent. I failed to monitor the descent. I believe this happened because I am new to FMS aircraft. I will not let this happen again.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: MLG FAILS TO DSND AS ASSIGNED.

Narrative: AT 35000 FT, ATC GAVE DSCNT CLRNC TO 31000 FT. THE NEW ALT WAS SET IN THE WINDOW BY ME. THE FO FAILED TO INITIATE THE DSCNT. I FAILED TO MONITOR THE DSCNT. I BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE I AM NEW TO FMS ACFT. I WILL NOT LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN.

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.