Narrative:

On transfer of radio from nicosia (125.5) to athena (119.1) we were clrd from 220 to 4500'. Controller's english was marginal, so to insure descent to 45 requested confirmation twice, then reported leaving 220 for 4500'. After confirmation, continued on over kea to athena VOR (ur 19). Controller inquired altitude. Reported 5800 for 4500. Controller reclred us to 7000 to hold kea. Approach 121.4 change over kea. Reclred to depart kea heading 250 degree, etc. Controller (119.1) said he only cleared us to 14000' (FL140) to kea. Because of communication being poor, we had twice confirmed clearance to FL450. Controller said he only said to expect clearance at 45.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ACR WDB OVERSHOT ALT ON DESCENT.

Narrative: ON TRANSFER OF RADIO FROM NICOSIA (125.5) TO ATHENA (119.1) WE WERE CLRD FROM 220 TO 4500'. CTLR'S ENGLISH WAS MARGINAL, SO TO INSURE DESCENT TO 45 REQUESTED CONFIRMATION TWICE, THEN REPORTED LEAVING 220 FOR 4500'. AFTER CONFIRMATION, CONTINUED ON OVER KEA TO ATHENA VOR (UR 19). CTLR INQUIRED ALT. REPORTED 5800 FOR 4500. CTLR RECLRED US TO 7000 TO HOLD KEA. APCH 121.4 CHANGE OVER KEA. RECLRED TO DEPART KEA HDG 250 DEG, ETC. CTLR (119.1) SAID HE ONLY CLRED US TO 14000' (FL140) TO KEA. BECAUSE OF COMMUNICATION BEING POOR, WE HAD TWICE CONFIRMED CLRNC TO FL450. CTLR SAID HE ONLY SAID TO EXPECT CLRNC AT 45.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of August 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.