Air carrier crew had altitude overshoot in ZME class a.

Attributes
ACN	491360
Time
Date	200011
Day	Mon
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	navaid : mem.vortac
State Reference	TN
Altitude	msl bound lower : 27000 msl bound upper : 29000
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : zme.artcc
Operator	general aviation : corporate
Make Model Name	Sabreliner 265
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	climbout : vacating altitude
Route In Use	departure : on vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : corporate
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : instrument pilot : multi engine pilot : commercial
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 50 flight time total : 2200 flight time type : 550
ASRS Report	491360
Person 2
Affiliation	company : corporate
Function	flight crew : first officer
Qualification	pilot : cfi pilot : atp
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 30 flight time total : 8300 flight time type : 2000
ASRS Report	491093
Events
Anomaly	altitude deviation : overshoot non adherence : clearance non adherence : company policies non adherence : published procedure
Independent Detector	other controllera
Resolutory Action	controller : issued alert controller : issued new clearance
Supplementary
Problem Areas	ATC Human Performance Flight Crew Human Performance
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

In a climb out of memphis we were cleared direct to the pontiac VOR. A short time later were cleared to FL290. Just before reaching FL270 we received a clearance which we understood to be through FL270, 70 NM from memphis. At FL285 ATC asked our altitude. We were then advised that our clearance was to cross 70 NM from memphis at FL270. We were then told to go ahead and climb to FL290. When we initially received the clearance for FL270, we were close to FL270 climbing 3000 FPM. I think the cause of this incident was the crew not understanding the clearance. Usually the controller will say amend your altitude with the clearance. We were also too close and climbing too fast to level at FL270.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ACR CREW HAD ALT OVERSHOOT IN ZME CLASS A.

Narrative: IN A CLB OUT OF MEMPHIS WE WERE CLRED DIRECT TO THE PONTIAC VOR. A SHORT TIME LATER WERE CLRED TO FL290. JUST BEFORE REACHING FL270 WE RECEIVED A CLRNC WHICH WE UNDERSTOOD TO BE THROUGH FL270, 70 NM FROM MEMPHIS. AT FL285 ATC ASKED OUR ALT. WE WERE THEN ADVISED THAT OUR CLRNC WAS TO CROSS 70 NM FROM MEMPHIS AT FL270. WE WERE THEN TOLD TO GO AHEAD AND CLB TO FL290. WHEN WE INITIALLY RECEIVED THE CLRNC FOR FL270, WE WERE CLOSE TO FL270 CLBING 3000 FPM. I THINK THE CAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT WAS THE CREW NOT UNDERSTANDING THE CLRNC. USUALLY THE CTLR WILL SAY AMEND YOUR ALT WITH THE CLRNC. WE WERE ALSO TOO CLOSE AND CLBING TOO FAST TO LEVEL AT FL270.

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.