Large Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 222; Flight Crew Type 10000
Workload
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Altitude Overshoot; Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew FLC Overrode Automation; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Human Factors; Procedure
Upon checking in with Denver Approach; we were told to descend via the TELLR2 Arrival. We set the descent limit of 11;000 feet in the MCP. At or near CREDE waypoint; ATC issued us a STAR change. We were told to change to the CREDE3 and to descend via the arrival. The bottom descent limit of 11;000 feet was left in the MCP window as appropriate. We reprogramed the FMC with the new arrival; as well as the expected RNAV approach; and runway.Due to the last minute changes and the rush to comply with ATC requests; we did not notice that the MCP descent mode dropped out of VNAV and defaulted to vertical speed. After passing TLRID waypoint; ATC advised us to maintain 12;000 feet and stated that our correct altitude should be 13;000 feet prior to MOGLS waypoint. It was then that we noticed that we were in vertical speed mode and 1;000 feet below the MDA of 13;000 feet.After passing LONGS waypoint; we were cleared to descend to 11;000 feet and cleared for the RVAV (RNP) Z 16R Approach. We complied and landed without further incident.The last minute and quick change of STARs created a rushed environment. It indirectly caused us to miss the appropriate descent mode. Closer attention should have been made on my part to recognize the deviation of automation as well as aircraft position.
An air carrier pilot reported that a last minute change to RNAV STAR resulted in an altitude deviation.