A crj-200 flight crew described failing to make a descent crossing restriction primarily due to fati...

Narrative:

I was pilot flying at FL310 and given crossing restriction for xxxxx at FL250. The captain (pilot not flying) selected the altitude and we both called it out. I did not initiate an immediate descent since we where still far off from the fix. I waited for a 3 degree glide slope descent point from the FMS VNAV; but got distracted reviewing the immediate action checklist in the cockpit (in preparation for an upcoming proficiency check next week). Just as the captain and I noticed we were already too close to xxxxx (about 6 miles); I began the descent and used the spoilers to avoid overspeeding. At that very moment ATC called us and asked if we would make that crossing restriction. We initially thought we could and acknowledged. However; once we realized we were going to be over by a few hundred ft; we got back to ATC and told him we were not going to make the restriction by a small bit. The controller then replied that there was no incoming traffic and gave us a new instruction. I did not sleep well in the overnight the night prior to the flight. In order to remain vigilant in the cockpit; I decided to read and review the immediate action checklist. Instead of helping me stay alert; it distracted me completely and caused us to miss the crossing restriction.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A CRJ-200 flight crew described failing to make a descent crossing restriction primarily due to fatigue.

Narrative: I was pilot flying at FL310 and given crossing restriction for XXXXX at FL250. The Captain (pilot not flying) selected the altitude and we both called it out. I did not initiate an immediate descent since we where still far off from the fix. I waited for a 3 degree glide slope descent point from the FMS VNAV; but got distracted reviewing the immediate action checklist in the cockpit (in preparation for an upcoming Proficiency Check next week). Just as the Captain and I noticed we were already too close to XXXXX (about 6 miles); I began the descent and used the spoilers to avoid overspeeding. At that very moment ATC called us and asked if we would make that crossing restriction. We initially thought we could and acknowledged. However; once we realized we were going to be over by a few hundred FT; we got back to ATC and told him we were NOT going to make the restriction by a small bit. The Controller then replied that there was NO incoming traffic and gave us a new instruction. I did not sleep well in the overnight the night prior to the flight. In order to remain vigilant in the cockpit; I decided to read and review the immediate action checklist. Instead of helping me stay alert; it distracted me completely and caused us to miss the crossing restriction.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.

Attributes
ACN	882635
Time
Date	201004
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Descent
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying First Officer
Qualification	Flight Crew Commercial
Person 2
Function	Pilot Not Flying Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met Deviation - Procedural Clearance

A crj-200 flight crew described failing to make a descent crossing restriction primarily due to fatigue.