Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Distraction; Situational Awareness
Deviation - Altitude Overshoot; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Chart Or Publication; Human Factors; Procedure
On descent into DFW arrival [was] changed due to north flow. Experiencing moderate turbulence. Requested lower altitude to try and get out of turbulence. Clearance was direct VKTRY; descend via the JOVEM. Both FO and I still thought VKTRY was the proper arrival. Moderate turbulence was a giant factor on our early descent. 10000 ft was selected in the altitude preselect. On the descent ATC asked what altitude we were descending to. At that time we answered 10000 for VKTRY. He then told us we were supposed to be on the JOVEM and to be at VKTRY intersection between 15000 and 18000. At that time the FO and I immediately climbed back to 15000. The FO and [I] were distracted with moderate turbulence. We did not review the new arrival before we descended. Honestly it is a mistake anyone could have made given the circumstance. The autopilot had kicked off along with a SPS Advanced caution on the EICAS due to moderate turbulence. We were trying to find smooth air for the safety and comfort of our passengers. We could have been more vigilant on reviewing the arrival procedure.
One thing that I personally find potentially confusing for pilots on these new arrivals; is that for two different arrival procedures; there are the same fixes with different crossing restrictions. For example; these NW arrivals into DFW are the JOVEM3 and new VKTRY1; with JOVEM3 being for north flow and VKTRY1 being for south flow. These arrivals have several of the same fixes; located at the same positions; with the same names. However; they have different crossing restrictions for each arrival. It is relatively easy to think the arrival in the FMS is correct; or that the chart you are looking at is correct; by simply just viewing the relative layout and verifying the names of the fixes. When in fact; you actually have the incorrect arrival programmed; or have the incorrect chart out; due to the landing flow at DFW.
EMB-145 flight crew reported track and altitude deviations resulted when they misunderstood the ATC clearance on arrival into DFW.