Date: 201809
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Aircraft: B767-300 and 300 ER
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Descent
Airspace: Class B ZZZ
ATC / advisory: TRACON ZZZ
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Time Pressure
Second reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; First Officer
Anomaly: Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met; Deviation - Altitude Overshoot; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Procedure; Equipment / Tooling
Primary problem: Ambiguous

Narrative: On the [RNAV] arrival into ZZZ; I was the Pilot Flying. We received a late handoff from ZZZ Center to ZZZ Approach. We were given a descent via clearance by Approach. The Pilot Monitoring advised approach that we would be unable to cross ZZZZZ at FL190 as we were too high. I put 8000 in the Mode Control Panel window and commenced the descent. I changed modes from VNAV to Flight Level Change and deployed the speed brakes. As 8000 was set in the Mode Control Panel altitude window; I made the crossing restriction at ZZZZZ1; however; descended to 11;470 [feet] which was below to 12;000 [feet] listed on the STAR page. The Pilot Monitoring called out the deviation and I began to climb back to 12;000 [feet] when ZZZ Approach gave us a descent to 9;000 [feet].[We were] rushing to comply and not being in the appropriate mode for our clearance and phase of flight. [We need to] be more vigilant about the mode of flight selected and the limitations that each provide to us in the cockpit.


Second narrative: Arriving via RNAV into ZZZ [and] in vicinity of VOR; ATC called us and said they missed our check on; and then said; descend via the RNAV arrival. We were showing 3;500 feet above the descent path; so I asked for relief at ZZZZZ which was to cross [at] or below FL190. We received that and were told to accelerate to 300 knots now and cross ZZZZZ1 at 250 knots and resume the RNAV star at ZZZZZ1. We were still above the VNAV path to cross ZZZZZ1 at 12000 ft; so the Captain (Pilot Flying) extended the speed brakes and switched from VNAV to FL Change. I missed this change from VNAV to FL Change. The Mode Control Panel altitude was never reset to 12;000 [feet]. Descending via the star we were required to cross ZZZZZ1 at 12;000 [feet]. The Mode Control Panel altitude was set at 8;000 feet. Because of that; we did not level off at 12;000 [feet] at ZZZZZ1. When I saw we were descending through 12;000 [feet] about 4 miles prior to ZZZZZ1; I called for the Captain to level off and maintain 12;000 [feet] by ZZZZZ1. I noticed we crossed ZZZZZ1 at 11;550 feet. After ZZZZZ1; we [were] given radar vectors to intercept ILS XXL. I believe the error chain began when ATC stated they missed our check in to their frequency. I had thought that I checked in. At this point; we were high on the descent via STAR. This created a rush to descend and a misuse of the Mode Control Panel. To expedite the descent; the Captain switched to FL Change. I was not aware of this change. The Captain did not change the Mode Control Panel ALT to 12;000 feet when switching to FL Change. The Mode Control Panel altitude was set at 8000 (the bottom altitude on the RNAV STAR). I think being unfamiliar with this arrival and what to expect was a contributing factor. I normally fly international trips. Make sure the Pilot Flying calls out mode changes on the Mode Control Panel. Even so; I should have paid more attention to the Mode Control Panel and FMA to detect the change from VNAV to FL Change. Due to the fixation on being high; I missed the mode change and therefore; did not suggest resetting the Mode Control Panel Altitude to 12;000 feet. I also should have paid more attention that we were high on the arrival and queried ATC for a descent.


Synopsis: B767 flight crew reported being unable to make a crossing restriction due to late frequency handoff and incorrect selection in the altitude window.