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ASRS 2089069

ACN 2089069 · 2024-02 · Commercial Fixed Wing

Air Carrier First Officer reported they descended below their cleared altitude during approach to SDF resulting in a CFTT event before climbing back to the appropriate altitude.

Altitude Deviations Initial ApproachPart 121

Pilot narrative

Verbatim, de-identified by NASA. Placeholders: ZZZ, X, Y.

Approach cleared us for and approach, later issue us clearance for the approach and to cross the IAF at a lower altitude than what it’s depicted and to expedite the descend. To comply with the clearance I started and expedited descend to comply with the new clearance. I selected the FAF altitude pre-select which was 500 ft. bellow the penultimate fix and during the descent trying to comply with the altitude for the IAF I descended bellow the penultimate fix, but not bellow the FAF. We saw we were descending and immediately stop the descend and regain appropriate altitude. No issues after that and continue with the approach. Cause: Attempting to comply with conflicting instructions at a high area of work. Not identifying future conflicts with the clearance. Improper FMS mode and work saturation. Suggestions: If unable to meet desired outcomes inform ATC immediately. Do not accept clearance that might create a hazard. Better crew communications. Not utilizing the proper flight mode to protect my altitudes and restrictions.

NASA classification · Anomalies

  • Deviation - Altitude
  • Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural
  • Inflight Event / Encounter

NASA classification · Assessments

Contributing Factors / Situations
Human Factors
Primary Problem
Human Factors

ASRS reports are voluntary, de-identified by NASA, and represent the reporter's perspective; they are not investigated and cannot be used to infer prevalence. Authoritative source: asrs.arc.nasa.gov ↗