PA34 pilot had altitude excursion.

Attributes
ACN	449768
Time
Date	199909
Day	Wed
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	navaid : bzm.vor
State Reference	NC
Altitude	msl bound lower : 8000 msl bound upper : 10000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : ztl.artcc
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	PA-34-200T Turbo Seneca II
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Navigation In Use	other vortac
Flight Phase	climbout : vacating altitude
Route In Use	departure : on vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	other
Function	flight crew : single pilot oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : private pilot : instrument pilot : multi engine
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 8 flight time total : 3757 flight time type : 1463
ASRS Report	449768
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : radar
Qualification	controller : radar
Events
Anomaly	aircraft equipment problem : critical altitude deviation : overshoot non adherence : clearance
Resolutory Action	controller : issued alert controller : issued new clearance flight crew : diverted to another airport flight crew : landed as precaution flight crew : declared emergency
Consequence	other
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Flight Crew Human Performance Aircraft
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

Flight was cleared to 10000 ft, then reclred to 8000 ft. I climbed through 8000 ft. I was experiencing problems with the right engine and elected to return to north wilkesboro. I believe preoccupation with this problem was a major factor in the infraction. After being advised by ATC, I descended to 8000 ft.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PA34 PLT HAD ALT EXCURSION.

Narrative: FLT WAS CLRED TO 10000 FT, THEN RECLRED TO 8000 FT. I CLBED THROUGH 8000 FT. I WAS EXPERIENCING PROBS WITH THE R ENG AND ELECTED TO RETURN TO N WILKESBORO. I BELIEVE PREOCCUPATION WITH THIS PROB WAS A MAJOR FACTOR IN THE INFRACTION. AFTER BEING ADVISED BY ATC, I DSNDED TO 8000 FT.

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.