Date: 201405
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ORD.Airport, IL
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Climb
Airspace: Class B ORD
ATC / advisory: TRACON C90
Aircraft component: MCP
Component problem: Improperly Operated
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Captain
Human factors: Confusion; Distraction
Anomaly: Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation - Altitude Overshoot; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Contributing factors: Chart Or Publication; Procedure; Human Factors
Primary problem: Ambiguous

Narrative: Departing on the ORD8 SID; we leveled off at 4;000 FT after meeting the crossing restriction at 8 DME. ATC called us and the preceding flight and told us to continue the climb to 5;000 FT. We had briefed the SID and both agreed on all facets of the procedure; including the wrong altitude of 4;000 FT in the MCP window. We'd both read the SID; had briefed the DME/altitude restrictions; 'at or above' 4;000 FT at 8 NM; etc.; had the procedure out for reference and never noticed we'd misinterpreted the final altitude. Upon reflection on how this happened; a few things come to mind. The crossing restriction of 4;000 FT at 8 DME; the verbiage has maintain 4;000 FT; then the final altitude of 5;000 FT after the fold in the paper chart. Also; as the missed approach altitude is 4;000 FT; it's already in the MCP window from the previous arrival; alluding that is the 'proper' setting (we brought the plane in). I have been told by others in the last two days that this same occurrence was briefed but corrected by a crew member who had experienced the mistake first hand. As professionals; we strive for SOP adherence. This seems a perfect storm of circumstances that align to challenge proper understanding of what on the surface appears to be a straight forward procedure.

Callback: The reporter stated that as the crew briefed the SID they noted 4;000 FT in the MCP and acknowledged the 4;000 FT or above crossing restraint and so did not think twice about it. The MCP 4;000 FT in the MCP from their own previous missed approach brief; so the reporter felt somewhat setup although they the opportunity to change it to 5;000 FT; just did not. Once airborne they did not realized their error until ATC made the comment 'XXX and YYY I see you leveled at 4;000 FT; climb and maintain 5;000 FT. What's going on; many aircraft are doing that?'The reporter believes that the ROUTING box text MAINTAIN 5;000 FT should in bold print and possibly add text 'THEN MAINTAIN 5;000 FT' in A and B Information Boxes after 4;000 FT. As thoroughly as they brief the departure; the reporter still does not understand the crew's error.



Synopsis: An Air Carrier Captain departed on the ORD8 with a 4;000 FT MCP constraint. After the 8 DME at 4;000 FT; ATC cleared him to 5;000 FT and asked another flight and he why they had leveled at 4;000 FT verses the 5;000 FT assigned on the SID. Many aircraft were making the same error.