A MD11 crew flying into an unfamiliar airport failed to set the proper qnh altitude in the flight co...

Narrative:

We fly a QFE approach. Below the transition level; we take our clearance limit in meters and convert it to a qnh feet setting. We set this converted feet limit into the flight control panel (fcp). 900M QFE = 5;190 ft qnh. We set the aircraft to qnh altimeter setting. Receiving radar vectors to final for runway 05L. When cleared below transition level; controllers issued descent to 900M on 936 millibars and left turn to base leg. I observed the first officer (pilot flying) turn aircraft on base heading. I questioned ATC on the altimeter setting; stating we are flying QFE approach. He restated 936 millibars; but corrected himself to qnh setting of 10.14. As I was coordinating with ATC; my first officer dialed 900 into the altitude window of the fcp panel. I told him to set 5;190 ft; but apparently he did not hear me. I became busy with ATC; so I did not notice that he did not correctly set the altitude as I directed. The next few seconds; my reserve first officer openly questioned our altitude setting as we descended below 4;900 ft. At the same moment; ATC questioned our altitude. I immediately took control of the aircraft and climbed back up to our assigned altitude of 5;190 ft. I hand flew the rest of the flight to landing with no further deviations. The lowest altitude that we attained was 4;850 ft. Unfamiliarity of the airport operations by the first officer was a factor to this deviation. As I was pre-occupied with ATC; to clear up the altimetry issue; I became distracted and did not ensure that my first officer was correctly setting the altitude in the fcp window. I should have ensured that the aircraft was flown to our known clearance until we completely understand our new clearance limit. We briefed the unique procedures in place for this airport; but apparently it was not understood. I should commit more time to ensure that it is understood in the future; perhaps 'chair flying' the approach to ensure understanding.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A MD11 crew flying into an unfamiliar airport failed to set the proper QNH altitude in the Flight Control Panel altimeter window and descended below the cleared altitude before both ATC and third pilot saw the error.

Narrative: We fly a QFE approach. Below the transition level; we take our clearance limit in meters and convert it to a QNH feet setting. We set this converted feet limit into the flight control panel (FCP). 900M QFE = 5;190 FT QNH. We set the aircraft to QNH altimeter setting. Receiving radar vectors to final for Runway 05L. When cleared below transition level; controllers issued descent to 900M on 936 millibars and left turn to base leg. I observed the First Officer (pilot flying) turn aircraft on base heading. I questioned ATC on the altimeter setting; stating we are flying QFE approach. He restated 936 millibars; but corrected himself to QNH setting of 10.14. As I was coordinating with ATC; my First Officer dialed 900 into the altitude window of the FCP panel. I told him to set 5;190 FT; but apparently he did not hear me. I became busy with ATC; so I did not notice that he did not correctly set the altitude as I directed. The next few seconds; my Reserve First Officer openly questioned our altitude setting as we descended below 4;900 FT. At the same moment; ATC questioned our altitude. I immediately took control of the aircraft and climbed back up to our assigned altitude of 5;190 FT. I hand flew the rest of the flight to landing with no further deviations. The lowest altitude that we attained was 4;850 FT. Unfamiliarity of the airport operations by the First Officer was a factor to this deviation. As I was pre-occupied with ATC; to clear up the altimetry issue; I became distracted and did not ensure that my First Officer was correctly setting the altitude in the FCP window. I should have ensured that the aircraft was flown to our known clearance until we completely understand our new clearance limit. We briefed the unique procedures in place for this airport; but apparently it was not understood. I should commit more time to ensure that it is understood in the future; perhaps 'chair flying' the approach to ensure understanding.

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	914161
Time
Date	201010
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZZ.Airport
State Reference	FO
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	MD-11
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Route In Use	Vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Altitude Alert
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Flight Engineer Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50 Flight Crew Total 10000 Flight Crew Type 7000
Events
Anomaly	Deviation - Altitude Overshoot Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Deviation - Procedural Clearance

A MD11 crew flying into an unfamiliar airport failed to set the proper qnh altitude in the flight control panel altimeter window and descended below the cleared altitude before both ATC and third pilot saw the error.