2010-03 · NASA ASRS report 878076
While flying an aircraft on which neither pilot had significant flight time and altitude deviation occurred when the pilot flying failed to select the appropriate auto flight mode.
The flight progressed through climbout and enroute and during decent/arrival procedures an altitude change was given to descend to 8000. The 'altitude select' may or may not have been selected because on the next leg we monitored 2 level offs where the autopilot 'did not' capture the altitude even though all the proper buttons where selected and the flight director switched to 'altitude hold'. I was personally involved with ATIS and arrival planning and didn't notice the deviation soon enough. The pilot flying took controls and required the assigned altitude. No comment was received from ATC. I believe the event was related to insufficient crew familiarity with this model Beechjet. We are assigned to this type very infrequently and with high work load some minor slips are made that can turn into major problems. Both of us had not been in this type for some time or for only a short time. At least one of the crewmembers should be very current with this type and any deficiencies with the particular aircraft's equipment peculiarities should be corrected.
Even with a couple of thousand hours in a aircraft with an altitude select button; I still made the mistake of not hitting that button. Its not part of what I have been used to while flying the 400XP. There are several individuals who have been on the straight 400 for some time. If you want me to fly the straight 400. Keep me on that aircraft all the time. The plane has a lot of quirks that someone new to the aircraft will have to figure out. When you put two unfamiliar pilots into this aircraft the only way these mistakes will be controlled is by experience in the aircraft. Lets not sacrifice safety. We have a dedicated staff of pilots who are very familiar with this aircraft and safety should be our main concern.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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