Citation II S2/Bravo (C550)
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150; Flight Crew Total 1100; Flight Crew Type 300
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Distraction; Troubleshooting; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation - Altitude Overshoot; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Aircraft; Procedure; Human Factors
The Captain and I took off Runway 24 at TEB via the RUUDY FOUR Departure. On departure; we were having trouble with our FMS and getting our flight director to sync up. Our altitude was set to level off at 1;500 FT. At 500 FT I called the '500 FT for 1;500 FT' callout and verified the 'Alt Select' button was Armed. Shortly after; I put my head down to verify the FMS was flying the correct course to intercept the 260 degree course to WENTZ. While working the FMS; we received a call from ATC to verify our altitude. This was the point that I had realized the altitude did not capture upon reaching 1;500 FT. We deviated above our assigned altitude approximately 600-700 FT prior to immediately taking corrective action (reduced power and pitched down) to return the 1;500 FT. The Captain was under the impression he had engaged the autopilot and the altitude select was armed; however; when attempting to get the flight director to sync up; it inadvertently disengaged the 'alt select arm' button. Due to our flight director issue; I took my eyes of the instruments to attend the FMS and verify we were flying the correct departure routing. In the future; I will back up the flying pilot and personally watch the instruments to ensure we are leveling of at the assigned altitudes.
A CE550 Flight Director failed to sync with the FMS after departing on the TEB Runway 24 RUUDY FOUR and so a distracted crew did not detect the 1;500 FT altitude overshoot until ATC requested an altitude check.