B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Distraction; Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Deviation - Speed All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance
Aircraft; Human Factors
Although we had an ATC altitude crossing set in the FMC; HOGGS at FL180; the aircraft didn't start down at the desired point from FL280. I took over in level change at the ATC assigned crossover speed; 290 KTS and descended. With the tailwind we needed increased speed; got that approved from ATC and descended close to the barber pole. As we approached the barber pole I disconnected the auto pilot and hand flew the descent. When I disconnected the autopilot the speed momentarily equaled or exceeded Vmo and we had an overspeed warning. The warning lasted for approximately three seconds before we slowed to below the placarded speed. We were given relief from the speed restriction from ATC (290 KTS) and as we approached HOGGS we switched ATC frequencies and the NY Center now assigned us a speed and not the altitude crossing even though we were in the turn over HOGGS and leveling at FL180. Being a bit more aware of the tailwind in the descent and catching the VNAV not catching the profile would have avoided this. During this flight I realized the First Officer was brand new to the company. He had 65 hours as a new hire 727 First Officer (direct into the right seat) but was then furloughed 12 years and was now a new First Officer on the 737. We spent a good portion of the flight discussing a lot of things he had never seen before. It was actually great to have someone so eager [to learn] and I was more than willing to show him as it is nice to have a First Officer well versed with the things many of us got as flight engineers and first officers when there was more time spent in a classroom environment. In retrospect; when we STARTED the descent out of FL390; we should have moved into the 'descent phase' and ended the classroom circle stuff. The overspeed was [my entire] fault as I was the pilot flying. It was my first trip back after 3 weeks of vacation. I'm sure that played a part in the event.
A B737-800 flight crew; distracted by informal training and indoctrination of the new First Officer; failed to note the jet had not begun a programmed descent in a timely manner. During the hasty descent a short duration Vmo overspeed occurred.