2011-12 · NASA ASRS report 985700
CRJ200 flight crew reports being assigned FL300 and 260 KTS during the climb. The next Controller advised the crew to stop at FL280 and that the clearance had actually been to maintain FL260.
Climbing to 30;000 with Washington Center (I believe). First Officer was pilot not flying. I did not hear the transmission; but First Officer told me ATC wanted 260 KTS. I had the headset off and thought I had the speaker on. It wasn't on; so I selected it on. Slowed to 260 KTS and continued climb to 30;000. [We] switched to another Controller and a short time later the Controller told us to maintain 28;000. We were passing roughly 27;500 at the time. The Controller asked our assigned altitude and the First Officer told him we were given 30;000 and an airspeed of 260 by the previous Controller. The Controller responded that the previous Controller wanted us to maintain FL260. First Officer replied that he had replied airspeed 260 KTS to the previous Controller; and that he had checked in with this Controller climbing to 30;000; airspeed 260 KTS. My not having my speaker on contributed to this; if there was indeed a misunderstanding about 26;000 or airspeed 260 KTS. The Controller gave the impression he wasn't sure whether we were assigned 26;000 or airspeed 260. Evidently I either didn't fully press the speaker select knob or selected it off somehow. However; it was my intention to have the speaker selected on. Although I always insure I have the speaker selected on before taking my headset off; I will strive to prevent it from happening again. I'm a retired Controller from the Air Force and pride myself on my ATC communications and always aware of what is occurring as far as ATC communications.
Level at what I recall as FL240 we were given climb to FL300 our final cruise altitude as well as filed altitude. At some point ATC gave instructions for what was accepted and read back as slow to 260 KTS. Passing FL250 we were handed off to next Controller. Reported passing 25;500 (or close to it) for FL300; as well as reported last Controller had us slowed to 260 KTS. Controller acknowledged call. Passing FL275 Controller asked our speed assigned from last Controller. I answered 260 KT. Controller asked last altitude assigned. I answered FL300. Controller told us to maintain FL280 leveled at FL280. Controller asked us requested altitude. Responded we would remain at FL280 for the final. Controller responded the last Controller had assigned FL260 altitude not speed. We acknowledged and were handed off with no further action.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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