Regional Jet 900 (CRJ900)
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Distraction; Situational Awareness; Workload
ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation - Speed All Types
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew FLC Overrode Automation
Aircraft; Procedure; Human Factors
We were given a radar vector for the XX ILS with a clearance to expect ZZZZZ. Due to weather in the area I requested deviation from the radar vector. When sequencing the FMS; I could not find ZZZZZ on the FMS ILS DME XX. I found ZZZZZ1 on the FMS ILS XX. The fixes are similar; but not the same. I verified the fix to expect with ATC and was again given ZZZZZ. Thinking I made an error loading the FMS; I reviewed a few approaches in the FMS. Still I could not find ZZZZZ. Around this time; I heard the autopilot disengage. I asked; 'did you disengage the autopilot.' The answer was no. I immediately thought the yaw damp disengaged. I noticed the airspeed was low. I stated something like; 'your airspeed is slow.' [First Officer] responded; and added full thrust. Although the airspeed was increasing we lost altitude. The airspeed was passing through 200 knots and I mentioned to climb to 12000 feet. The airspeed continued to increase but no change in pitch. I took the controls to return to 12000 feet. ATC gave us a vector to join the approach. I realize I spent too much time fiddling around with the FMS with my head down away from a scan.In the FMS ILS XX; ZZZZZ does not exist. ZZZZZ only exist in the FMS RNAV XX.
CRJ-900 Captain reported becoming distracted with a confusing clearance then noticing the autopilot disconnected due to low airspeed.