Flight crew was queried by ATC regarding their altitude assignment.

Attributes
ACN	441000
Time
Date	199906
Day	Sun
Local Time Of Day	1801 To 2400
Place
Locale Reference	navaid : cgi.vor
State Reference	MO
Altitude	msl bound lower : 24000 msl bound upper : 26000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : zkc.artcc
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	Large Transport, Low Wing, 3 Turbojet Eng
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	descent : intermediate altitude
Route In Use	enroute airway : ns.airway
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : first officer
Qualification	pilot : commercial pilot : flight engineer pilot : instrument pilot : atp pilot : multi engine
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 200 flight time total : 3900 flight time type : 600
ASRS Report	441000
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : atp
Events
Anomaly	other anomaly other
Independent Detector	other controllera
Resolutory Action	controller : issued new clearance other
Supplementary
Problem Areas	ATC Human Performance Flight Crew Human Performance
Primary Problem	ATC Human Performance

Narrative:

Our aircraft was given a clearance to descend to FL250. I read back this clearance to FL250. While descending through FL260 ATC queried our assigned altitude. I promptly read back 'FL250 assigned.' the controller then responded that he wanted us at 250 KTS. He then replied that there was no concern, to continue descent to FL240 and slow to 250 KTS. We complied. There was no conflict with other traffic.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: FLC WAS QUERIED BY ATC REGARDING THEIR ALT ASSIGNMENT.

Narrative: OUR ACFT WAS GIVEN A CLRNC TO DSND TO FL250. I READ BACK THIS CLRNC TO FL250. WHILE DSNDING THROUGH FL260 ATC QUERIED OUR ASSIGNED ALT. I PROMPTLY READ BACK 'FL250 ASSIGNED.' THE CTLR THEN RESPONDED THAT HE WANTED US AT 250 KTS. HE THEN REPLIED THAT THERE WAS NO CONCERN, TO CONTINUE DSCNT TO FL240 AND SLOW TO 250 KTS. WE COMPLIED. THERE WAS NO CONFLICT WITH OTHER TFC.

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.