FC5254

Altitude deviation

Climbing through FL200 for FL210 with the autopilot engaged, we received an altitude alert indicating that we were 1000’ away from our level off. This was audibly acknowledged in the cockpit by both the PM and PF. At this point it is my belief that there was movement of the speed bug knob or heading bug knob which has a similar tactile feel and appearance as the altitude selector knob in this model of Falcon jet. This resulted in disabling the automatic altitude level-off function of the autopilot; upon realization of the altitude error, immediate corrective action was taken by the PF and a vector was given by ATC.

Apologies were made to ATC for the error. During the post flight debrief we discussed maintaining extra vigilance that the autopilot levels off at the correct altitude and that when changes are made moving flight guidance panel knobs, there is a corresponding indication on the Primary Flight Display.

The fundamental factor in this incident was to remember that in this aircraft type at least, changes to some system settings would disable the automatic level-off function and so great care is required in doing so, especially when close to a critical event such as levelling off. It’s easy in the heat of the moment to mistakenly move the wrong knob so, as the reporter infers, always check that the autopilot is still engaged in the expected mode, and responding, whenever making any changes to parameter settings.