Medium Large Transport
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 224
Situational Awareness; Distraction; Communication Breakdown; Confusion
Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met; Deviation - Altitude Overshoot; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Human Factors; Procedure
Climbing out of PHX on the SNOBL 2 SID; we received; 'Climb via the SNOBL 2 Departure except maintain FL 210.'  We misinterpreted the climb via clearance and deleted the 9;000 feet hold-down at GOALY.  At 9;000 feet; the Controller asked our altitude and directed a descent to 9;000 feet.  The aircraft reached 9;700 feet before starting down.  Prior to the hand off; the Controller said there was no loss of separation between us and another carrier's flight in the area.
After departing PHX; we were flying the SNOBL 2 RNAV Departure.  ATC cleared us to 'climb via the SNOBL 2 except maintain FL 190.'  As the Pilot Monitoring; I read back that same clearance.  I set 19;000 feet in the MCP and the Pilot Flying verified the altitude.  I proceeded to delete the 9;000 foot altitude restriction at GOALY on the departure.  I asked to verify the selection before I executed it on the FMS.  The Pilot Flying agreed and we executed the deletion. Passing 9;500 feet in the climb; ATC immediately notified us of our deviation and told us to descend to 9;000 feet.  We climbed to 9;700 feet before we could stop the climb.  Before we could begin our descent to 9;000 feet; ATC informed us that there was no separation loss and that we could continue our climb to FL 190.  As the Pilot Monitoring; I accept full responsibility for my altitude error in complying with the proper climb procedure for the clearance we were given.  Erroneously; I incorrectly deleted an altitude restriction in the FMS.  I have fully reviewed our training materials on this type of climb clearance and I clearly understand my error.
Pilots report of being issued a climb via clearance but do not climb via. Controllers issues the clearance but the pilots delete a crossing restriction and climb above it. The Controller has pilots descend to the crossing restriction altitude.