B737-700 flight crew reports programing the FMC for ten north of the fix instead of ten south as required; resulting in a missed crossing restriction. Fatigue was cited as a factor in the incident.
Synopsis
B737-700 flight crew reports programing the FMC for ten north of the fix instead of ten south as required; resulting in a missed crossing restriction. Fatigue was cited as a factor in the incident.
Narrative
Programmed the crossing restriction as ten north of FWA; when it should have been ten south; at FL240 (FWA/10 versus FWA/-10). Failed to identify the programming error until ATC pointed out that we looked high; issuing a Traffic Alert. I have been on an A.M. line this month and last. The day began with a late show time and was not scheduled to end until well after dark. Due to the late aircraft arrival; another lengthy delay for late connecting bags; a complicated mechanical issue; an associated maintenance delay and unscheduled swap; the already busy six-leg day became much more involved. Due to the short nature of all the legs and rapid tempo; climbing straight into descent; we both were quite worn out by the end of the day. Lobby time was in the morning. The prior day; lobby time was four hours earlier. We have A.M. and P.M. trips for a reason; so pilots aren't bouncing between sleep cycles during the pairing. Unfortunately; that is exactly what we were scheduled to do. Keep pairings within the typical A.M. and P.M. footprint. If the day is stretched; don't schedule a six-leg day.
Second reporter narrative
Programmed the crossing restriction as ten north of FWA; when it should have been ten south (FWA10 versus FWA-10). Failed to catch the error until ATC pointed it out; issuing a Traffic Alert.Fatigue is a huge factor in this incident. We have been up since early A.M. and have flown six legs. Plus; ran late due to late bags; mechanical issues; and unscheduled plane swaps. The Company scheduling one crew to fly a full day on the weekend is absolutely asinine. Originating an aircraft in the morning and terminating after dark exposes the passengers; crew; aircraft; and ultimately the Company to a huge safety risk from this kind of error.We lobbied this morning early. We are still at the airport over 14 hours later typing this. We won't get to the hotel until late. I still have to eat and get ready for bed; let alone unwind enough to actually sleep. We lobby at an hour earlier in the morning (tomorrow). If we are lucky and the hotel is quiet; we'll get seven hours of sleep; followed by another eight-hour duty day with a couple of hours sitting. Absolutely and incredibly unsafe; yet we continue to see more and more of this.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.