MD-80 Series (DC-9-80) Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Time Pressure; Workload; Confusion; Distraction; Human-Machine Interface
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Aircraft; Chart Or Publication; Procedure; Human Factors
We were arriving STL and had a big tailwind. We were cleared via the KAYLA arrival which was the first time for both of us. While descending we got switched from landing Runway 30 to Runway 11 or 12. We expected 11; so we put that transition in the FMS; but then were changed to Runway 12. As a result we had to change the FMS three times in descent. It's really not any different (in hindsight); but we got caught up in a task management overload situation and before we knew it were 2;000 feet high at the two waypoints past KAYLA. Immediate action was taken to descend faster and ATC did not seem have a problem with it. I don't believe there was even another aircraft within 50 miles at the time. However; it was definitely a mistake on our part. Serious lesson learned. Fly the airplane.
An MD-80 First Officer reported difficulties complying with the late stage crossing restrictions while descending via the KAYLA RNAV STAR to STL. Changes to their assigned landing runway from northwest to southeast were reported as primary contributing factors.