B737 Next Generation Undifferentiated
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 220; Flight Crew Total 27600; Flight Crew Type 15000
Situational Awareness
Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met; Deviation - Altitude Undershoot; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors
While descending into DEN on the FRNCH 3; when we checked in with DEN Approach; our expected approach and landing runway was changed to the RNAV RNP Z 34R (from ILS 35L). As we approached DORKE; I began loading the approach and conducting the approaching briefing - failing to notice that VNAV had switched from VNAV PATH to VNAV SPD. It was just as we neared DORKE (At or Below 17000 FT - At or Above 15000 FT) that I noticed that we were about 800 feet above the VNAV Path and nearing DORKE. I deployed the speed brakes; but we passed DORKE at 17500 FT - 500 FT too high.
B737NG Captain reported failure to make a crossing restriction on the RNAV RNP Z 34R approach to DEN.