2011-07 · NASA ASRS report 958751
An air carrier flight crew inbound to EINN received incorrect altimeter settings from ATC and descended below their cleared altitude as a result. ATC caught the deviation and the altimeter settings were corrected.
[We were] on approach to EINN; cleared from FL80 to 3;000; altimeter 1030 (hPa). I read back the clearance and altimeter setting. We had the previous ATIS; so I requested the latest ATIS on the FMC. Passing through about 3;200 MSL; the Controller queried; 'Confirm you are cleared to 3;000 FT; altimeter 1030... I show you at 2;300 FT.' Meanwhile; the radar altimeter had just come alive (showing 2;500 FT); so I looked at the GPWS to see that the highest terrain was 1;800 FT; which agreed with the approach plate. I told the Controller; 'Yes; we are leveling at 3;000 FT; altimeter setting 1030. Confirm the altimeter setting is not actually 1003?' The Controller again stated the altimeter setting was 1030. Just then; another voice came over the frequency stating; 'Shannon altimeter is 995 hPa!' I responded; we reset our altimeters in the cockpit; and climbed up to 3;000 FT. The mis-set altimeter has caused an altitude deviation of approximately 950 FT. I don't believe we were ever below about 2;000 FT AGL during this event.
When switched to Approach Control; they were calling the altimeter setting 1035 mb.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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