A pilot on a 'VFR conditions on top' clearance failed to maintain a VFR altitude during cruise.

Attributes
ACN	316020
Time
Date	199509
Day	Sat
Local Time Of Day	1801 To 2400
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : olm
State Reference	WA
Altitude	msl bound lower : 6000 msl bound upper : 6000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : zse
Operator	other
Make Model Name	Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	cruise other
Route In Use	enroute airway : zse
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : commercial pilot : instrument
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 50 flight time total : 290 flight time type : 40
ASRS Report	316020
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : radar
Qualification	controller : radar
Events
Anomaly	other anomaly other other spatial deviation
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	none taken : detected after the fact
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

ATC originally issued a cruise altitude of 6000 ft. I requested and accepted a VFR on top clearance while on an IFR flight plan, but I subsequently remained at my assigned altitude instead of requesting an amended cruise altitude to conform with far 91.159. In summary, I violated far 91.179(a).

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A PLT ON A 'VFR CONDITIONS ON TOP' CLRNC FAILED TO MAINTAIN A VFR ALT DURING CRUISE.

Narrative: ATC ORIGINALLY ISSUED A CRUISE ALT OF 6000 FT. I REQUESTED AND ACCEPTED A VFR ON TOP CLRNC WHILE ON AN IFR FLT PLAN, BUT I SUBSEQUENTLY REMAINED AT MY ASSIGNED ALT INSTEAD OF REQUESTING AN AMENDED CRUISE ALT TO CONFORM WITH FAR 91.159. IN SUMMARY, I VIOLATED FAR 91.179(A).

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.