A B737-700 flight crew failed to follow SOP to verify confirmation of a clearance to a higher altitude. As they passed through FL190 for 290 ATC advised they had only been cleared to 190. They were then cleared to climb to FL270.
Synopsis
A B737-700 flight crew failed to follow SOP to verify confirmation of a clearance to a higher altitude. As they passed through FL190 for 290 ATC advised they had only been cleared to 190. They were then cleared to climb to FL270.
Narrative
We were at 14;000 MSL on a vector to rejoin our routing. We were being held down for traffic. When that traffic passed overhead we were cleared to climb to FL190 and switched to Washington Center. The Captain dialed in what I thought was 190 on the MCP and then dialed in the frequency on the radio because his hand was closest. I do not remember repeating '190' when he removed his hand from the MCP; but it is a procedure and habit I do regularly.There was a lot of chatter on the frequency so I waited to check in on the frequency until it quieted down. I leaned forward to check the out and off times from the FMC. At that time; we were approaching FL180; so we set 29.92 in the altimeters. I wrote down the times. Then; Center called us to see if we were on frequency yet. I responded that we were 'passing 190 for 290' as I looked at the altitude window on the MCP. Center responded that we were only cleared to 190; but it was 'no big deal' because there were no other aircraft above us. Then; he cleared us to climb to FL260. When Center called us; we were passing 19.2.
Second reporter narrative
When finally given a climb and normal speed; I thought the Controller said FL290 versus FL190. It seemed odd to get that much climb from Washington Center all at once; but my pilot not flying seemed to accept it...Although not a particularly difficult day; I think both the First Officer and I let down our guard at the same time. He missed my mistake and I did not pursue verification on a clearance that seemed a little out of place.If something does not seem right--even by a little bit--pursue verification from the other crew member and then ATC. An old lesson relearned.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.