A cpr PA31 pilot was distraction by the sun and climbed above his assigned altitude.

Attributes
ACN	382900
Time
Date	199710
Day	Wed
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	airport : loz
State Reference	KY
Altitude	msl bound lower : 8000 msl bound upper : 9000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Dawn
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : zid
Operator	general aviation : corporate
Make Model Name	PA-31 Navajo Chieftan/Mojave/Navajo T1020
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	climbout : intermediate altitude
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : commercial pilot : instrument
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 36 flight time total : 8000 flight time type : 900
ASRS Report	382900
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : radar
Qualification	controller : radar
Events
Anomaly	altitude deviation : overshoot non adherence : clearance non adherence : far
Independent Detector	other controllera
Resolutory Action	flight crew : returned to intended course or assigned course other
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

I departed loz VFR. After contacting center, I was given a clearance to destination as filed and assigned a climb to 8000 ft. At 5000 ft the morning sun came through the left cockpit window and reflected off the instrument panel. I diverted my attention to find the tinted windshield screen. Center asked to check my altitude. I discovered that I was already at 9000 ft. I immediately corrected my altitude. My inattn to detail and lack of situational awareness was the direct cause of this altitude incursion. I allowed good WX conditions to lull me into thinking all was well. Prevention: remembering that routine can cause complacency.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A CPR PA31 PLT WAS DISTR BY THE SUN AND CLBED ABOVE HIS ASSIGNED ALT.

Narrative: I DEPARTED LOZ VFR. AFTER CONTACTING CTR, I WAS GIVEN A CLRNC TO DEST AS FILED AND ASSIGNED A CLB TO 8000 FT. AT 5000 FT THE MORNING SUN CAME THROUGH THE L COCKPIT WINDOW AND REFLECTED OFF THE INST PANEL. I DIVERTED MY ATTN TO FIND THE TINTED WINDSHIELD SCREEN. CTR ASKED TO CHK MY ALT. I DISCOVERED THAT I WAS ALREADY AT 9000 FT. I IMMEDIATELY CORRECTED MY ALT. MY INATTN TO DETAIL AND LACK OF SITUATIONAL AWARENESS WAS THE DIRECT CAUSE OF THIS ALT INCURSION. I ALLOWED GOOD WX CONDITIONS TO LULL ME INTO THINKING ALL WAS WELL. PREVENTION: REMEMBERING THAT ROUTINE CAN CAUSE COMPLACENCY.

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.