B767-300 and 300 ER
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 22
Communication Breakdown
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors
Pilot was cleared direct to the ROBER intersection (17 NM SW of CCC) and issued a crossing restriction 15 NM NE of ROBER at 12;000 and 250 KTS. The pilot read back was complete and correct. The PARCH1 STAR shows an expected altitude of ROBER at 9;000. The pilot descended thru 12;000. At 11;500 was re-cleared to maintain 12;000. The pilot stated the he 'needed to be ROBER at 9;000 feet.'Retrain flight crews or change STAR expected altitudes to clear show that they are not assigned; but expected; altitudes. This is a by-product of DESCEND VIA clearances. Maybe all STARs should be named in a way that separates those with a DESCEND VIA and those without; i.e. STARs that include a DESCEND VIA should be changed from STARs to PDTARs (Profile Descent Terminal Arrival Routes).
We were assigned by BOS Center to cross CCC at 12;000 and 250 KTS. We were subsequently cleared direct ROBER and cross it at 9;000 and to cross abeam CCC at 12;000 and 250KTS.I was the Pilot Flying and crossed abeam CCC at the assigned restrictions; I then started down to 9;000 ft. At about 11;200 ft. ATC queried us about our altitude and later said he did not clear us to cross ROBER at 9;000 but to EXPECT to cross at that altitude. We replied that we heard to CROSS at 9;000 and then was instructed to climb back to 12;000. All three of us believe we heard ATC say to Cross ROBER at 9;000. No traffic conflicts were observed or reported.
B767-300 Flight Crew reports being cleared to pass abeam CCC at 12000 feet and 250 knots and cross ROBER at 9000 feet. The ZBW Controller involved believes the clearance was to expect ROBER at 9000 feet and sends the crew back up to 12000 feet.