Air carrier X descent to wrong altitude.

Attributes
ACN	312000
Time
Date	199508
Day	Tue
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : eno
State Reference	DE
Altitude	msl bound lower : 12800 msl bound upper : 13000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tower : sna
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	Commercial Fixed Wing
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	descent other
Route In Use	enroute : direct enroute airway : zdc
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : atp
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 240 flight time total : 8500 flight time type : 6400
ASRS Report	312000
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : first officer
Qualification	pilot : instrument pilot : commercial
Events
Anomaly	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:

While in cruising flight ZDC 'cleared' us to 11000 ft (from 17000 ft). As we passed through 12800 ft ZDC asked if we were level 13000 ft? We replied 'negative 12800 ft for 11000 ft.' ZDC said maintain 13000 ft. We gently returned the aircraft to 13000 ft. (Nothing further was said.) my first officer and I discussed the 'confusion' over the cleared altitude. We both agree that indeed we had been cleared to 11000 ft, this was tuned in the 'altitude alerter' and pointed to. There appeared to be no conflict over this event.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ACR X DSCNT TO WRONG ALT.

Narrative: WHILE IN CRUISING FLT ZDC 'CLRED' US TO 11000 FT (FROM 17000 FT). AS WE PASSED THROUGH 12800 FT ZDC ASKED IF WE WERE LEVEL 13000 FT? WE REPLIED 'NEGATIVE 12800 FT FOR 11000 FT.' ZDC SAID MAINTAIN 13000 FT. WE GENTLY RETURNED THE ACFT TO 13000 FT. (NOTHING FURTHER WAS SAID.) MY FO AND I DISCUSSED THE 'CONFUSION' OVER THE CLRED ALT. WE BOTH AGREE THAT INDEED WE HAD BEEN CLRED TO 11000 FT, THIS WAS TUNED IN THE 'ALT ALERTER' AND POINTED TO. THERE APPEARED TO BE NO CONFLICT OVER THIS EVENT.

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.