Air carrier requested WX deviation and descent; controller approved; but failed to note the descent as part of the flight crew request; then questioned descent.

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Attributes
ACN	798145
Time
Date	200807
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	navaid : aex.vortac
State Reference	LA
Altitude	msl single value : 32000
Environment
Weather Elements	Thunderstorm
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : zhu.artcc
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	MD-80 Series (DC-9-80) Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	cruise : level
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
ASRS Report	798145
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : first officer
ASRS Report	798146
Events
Anomaly	altitude deviation : excursion from assigned altitude inflight encounter : weather non adherence : clearance
Independent Detector	other flight crewa other flight crewb
Resolutory Action	none taken : anomaly accepted
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Weather ATC Human Performance
Primary Problem	ATC Human Performance

Narrative:

We requested FL320 and a turn for WX deviation. We were level at FL340. Center cleared us 'as requested.' we read back the descent clearance to FL320. The controller missed the error and we descended. About 700 ft later she asked if we were ok; we were 700 ft low. We then explained our understanding and she then issued the clearance to FL320. She said her fault no problem.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ACR REQUESTED WX DEV AND DESCENT; CTLR APPROVED; BUT FAILED TO NOTE THE DESCENT AS PART OF THE FLT CREW REQUEST; THEN QUESTIONED DESCENT.

Narrative: WE REQUESTED FL320 AND A TURN FOR WX DEV. WE WERE LEVEL AT FL340. CTR CLRED US 'AS REQUESTED.' WE READ BACK THE DSCNT CLRNC TO FL320. THE CTLR MISSED THE ERROR AND WE DSNDED. ABOUT 700 FT LATER SHE ASKED IF WE WERE OK; WE WERE 700 FT LOW. WE THEN EXPLAINED OUR UNDERSTANDING AND SHE THEN ISSUED THE CLRNC TO FL320. SHE SAID HER FAULT NO PROB.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of May 2009 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.