CE560XL flight crew reports climbing to 2;000 FT prior to reaching WENTZ on the RUUDY 2 departure from TEB.
Synopsis
CE560XL flight crew reports climbing to 2;000 FT prior to reaching WENTZ on the RUUDY 2 departure from TEB.
Narrative
We were assigned the RUUDY2 departure at TEB. We reviewed the departure before taxi. (I have done this departure on many occasions.) After takeoff we climbed to 1;500 and leveled off and I asked the pilot not flying to set 2;000 in the ALT [alerter]. I saw the heading change (from 240 to 260) and mistakenly believed I was at WENTZ and climbed to 2;000. ATC called and gave us a climb to four thousand and then asked if we were on the RUUDY 2 departure? We said yes; he said next time remain at 1;500 until RUUDY please. The pilot not flying was busy with a radio call at the time and was unaware of my climb to two thousand prior to WENTZ. In hind sight I should have had the autopilot engaged right away allowing me more time to be more certain of my exact position.ATC and we both realized it right after it happened. The event occurred from lack of situational awareness. [I] will engage the autopilot sooner leaving TEB or any busy airport on a departure and pay closer attention. I have flown this departure and many more like it without any problems; this was just a dumb mistake.
Second reporter narrative
[We were on the] RUUDY 2 departure out of TEB leveled at 1;500 FT per the departure procedure. Pilot flying thought he had passed the WENTZ Intersection and asked if we were now cleared to 2;000 FT. Pilot not flying selected 2;000 FT; since the aircraft was being hand flown and thought that is what the pilot flying had requested. We were probably within 2 miles of the WENTZ Intersection at the time. Frequency change to NY Departure occurred almost simultaneously as the climb was initiated. Checked in with NY and clearance to 4;000 was given. Controller inquired as to whether or not we were on the RUUDY departure. Affirmative was the reply. He said no conflicting traffic problem; but to be aware that the 1;500 at WENTZ was mandatory. We knew that to be the case. The MFD's range was set to 50 mile ring when the event occurred. We both believed that it had been at a lower setting prior to takeoff. [We] could not identify WENTZ with the setting at 50 miles. The aircraft was being hand flown in IMC conditions on a departure that requires a low altitude level off to a specific fix. Confusion between pilot not flying and pilot flying on the request for 2;000 FT pilot flying wanted to know if we were past the intersection and pilot not flying thought the request was for 2;000 FT to be set.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.