B757 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 275; Flight Crew Total 35000; Flight Crew Type 12000
Confusion; Human-Machine Interface
Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Aircraft; Chart Or Publication; Human Factors; Procedure
We had two RNAV STAR changes inbound to DEN; all of which were checked by both pilots and a jumpseat rider and cross checked with the EFB and commercially provided paper aero charts. All speeds were checked; we were in LNAV and VNAV; on path; on speed and the PDI showed on profile. Then; approaching QUAIL; still in VNAV and LNAV; we could not make the crossing speed and altitude restrictions at QUAIL even with speed brakes fully extended. We did not make the profile altitudes while the LNAV and VNAV showed on the PDI and I am baffled as to why. We informed ATC and were given a descend and maintain clearance; a vector turn and a speed at our discretion. We were then cleared for a visual approach to R35L and landed normally. I called Approach Control and the SUPERVISOR said he had NO PROBLEM with our flight and that there has been a flood of issues with aircraft not making the profiles on these new arrivals One minute we were on the path and; in an instant; we were very high on the profile! WE ARE BAFFLED. After 29 years with 12 plus on this fleet; this was the first problem I have had with this issue.
A B757 Captain reported that; despite properly programming and verifying the FMS; the aircraft was unable to comply with the altitude and airspeed restrictions at QUAIL intersection descending into DEN. When he contacted Approach Control after landing the Supervisor advised it was no problem because the deviation was one of many occurring following implementation of the new OPD RNAV STARs at DEN.