Date: 201510
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: MSP.Airport, MN
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Regional Jet 900 (CRJ900)
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Descent
Airspace: Class B MSP
ATC / advisory: TRACON M98
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Situational Awareness; Distraction
Second reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; First Officer
Anomaly: Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met; Deviation - Altitude Undershoot; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Contributing factors: Human Factors
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: It was a normal flight to MSP at 25;000 feet with one pack deferred; sometime after the ROKKK intersection we were given a descent via the NITZR TWO Arrival. I then put 7;000 feet in the altitude preselect and we discussed the altitudes and speeds for the arrival. By looking at the Direct/Intersection page I planned on using 2;000 FPM for our descent rate. About the NITZR intersection ATC slowed to 250 KTS which decreased our descent rate. About 5 miles prior to AANAH intersection my FO mentioned that we still needed to cross AANAH at 10;000 feet. I then pulled the power to idle and deployed the flight spoilers in an effort to make the crossing at AANAH at 10;000 feet. Because of my late actions; we crossed AANAH at 10;800 and at a speed 265 KTS. The rest of the arrival was normal and ATC later gave us vectors for an ILS to 30L.In retrospect I should have asked ATC for a vector off the arrival when I realized we would not make our crossing restriction or I could have asked them if they needed the speed or altitude first. As we all know the 900 can go down or slow down but it cannot do both at the same time. Also greater attention to the arrival (once ATC gave us a speed change) would have given me more time to make all the crossings at the proper speeds and altitudes. These new arrivals are all different and as a crew any deviation from what you have planned can greatly affect your ability to do what ATC or the arrival asks of you.


Second narrative: During a revenue flight to MSP; sometime after the ROKKK intersection we were given descend via the NITZR TWO Arrival. The PF Captain preselected 7;000 feet and we discussed the altitudes and speeds for the arrival. He decided on 2;000 FPM and referenced the direct intercept page for the descent. About the NITZR intersection ATC slowed us to 250 KTS which decreased our descent rate. About 5 miles prior to AANAH intersection I noticed we still needed to cross AANAH at 10;000 feet and brought this to the Captain's attention. He pulled the power to idle and deployed the flight spoilers and started a descent to try to cross AANAH at 10;000. Because of our late actions we crossed AANAH about 10;800 and a speed of 265; the rest of the Arrival was normal. ATC later gave us vectors for ILS to 30L. We should have asked ATC for a vector off the arrival or asked if they needed the speed or altitude first. The CRJ does not slow down and go down at the same time very well; so we should have determined which was more immediate.


Synopsis: CRJ-900 flight crew reports not making the crossing restriction at AANAH on the NITZR2 arrival to MSP due to a late start down. ATC is not advised and AANAH is crossed 800 feet high.