MD-80 Series (DC-9-80) Undifferentiated or Other Model
Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met; Deviation - Altitude Overshoot; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Procedure; Human Factors
Our flight was originally assigned the WILBR4 Arrival into DFW. Near LIT ATC reassigned us on the SEEVR1 and cleared us direct RRNET. We were then told to descend to FL260. Just prior to SWTCH intersection we were cleared to 'Descend via the BRDJE1; delete the speeds except comply beginning at SEEVR.' We had SEEVR1 in the GFMS and on our iPads and; as the Pilot Flying I noticed I had to rush to comply with the crossing restriction at THEMM (between FL230 and FL210). I began a descent and was at FL230 before I realized we had been reassigned to the BRDJE1 and had the wrong arrival programmed into the GFMS. I crossed TUSLE intersection at FL230; 3000 feet low; and then resumed the BRDJE1 Arrival without further incident. Many of the RNAV Arrivals into DFW have the same names for fixes with vastly different crossing restrictions. Were SEEVR intersection assigned a different name for the BRDJE1 Arrival; that would have not matched up with what I was seeing on my iPad or on the GFMS and would have clued me in on the reassignment when ATC told us to 'comply beginning at SEEVR.' Also a factor was that the timing of the reassignment was late into the SEEVR1 Arrival and was not accompanied by any verbal indicator such as 'now cleared via the BRDJE1 Arrival...'
It is obvious to us that it is a bad idea to mix waypoint and arrival names on different arrivals. SEEVR should not be a point on the BRDJE arrival; and BRDJE should not be a point on the SEEVR arrival. That; combined with ATC clearing a flight on the wrong direction arrival; switching to correct 'sister' arrival after the first arrival was already started; is a setup for unmanageability.
MD-83 flight crew reported deviating from a crossing restriction on DFW RNAV BRDJE1 arrival. Crew cited last minute change in arrival assignment and common names between arrivals as factors in the incident.