Narrative:

Event was a miscommunication with ATC. It occurred while on ojaay one RNAV arrival into dca. Just prior to the event; we had been vectored off the arrival at ric for spacing; and then resumed the arrival. While at 10;000 ft/250 knots between ric and ojaay we were given the following instruction by potomac approach; 'turn right heading 040 and intercept the final.' as pilot monitoring; I read back 'right turn 040 and intercept the final approach course for runway 1.' approximately 30 seconds later; potomac approach controller stated; 'I told you heading 040 after ojaay.' I responded with 'approach; I heard and read back the clearance for a right turn to 040 to intercept the final approach for runway 1.' the controller then issued a left turn heading 320; and about 10 seconds later a right turn heading 040 to intercept the final approach course; this resolved the miscommunication and no traffic conflict resulted. The captain and I both understood the clearance to be an immediate right turn heading 040 to intercept the runway 1 final approach course. During the entire approach; the potomac approach controller was speaking to numerous aircraft in a sarcastic and unprofessional manner; he sounded agitated and slightly overwhelmed. At one point another aircraft said with a disappointed tone; 'come on!' it sounded like ATC had a voice change on the frequency shortly thereafter; possibly the supervisor relieving the controller for a break. ATC should maintain standard radio communication discipline and monitor readback in case what he intended to say was not the clearance received. ATC supervisor should have stepped in sooner and help when controller is overwhelmed/agitated.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 flight crew reports misunderstanding a clearance to turn to 040 degrees after OJAAY and turns immediately to that heading; much to the chagrin of a PCT Controller. The B737 crew is rebuked by the Controller; along with another air carrier crew that had also deviated from their cleared route.

Narrative: Event was a miscommunication with ATC. It occurred while on OJAAY ONE RNAV ARRIVAL into DCA. Just prior to the event; we had been vectored off the arrival at RIC for spacing; and then resumed the arrival. While at 10;000 FT/250 knots between RIC and OJAAY we were given the following instruction by Potomac Approach; 'turn right heading 040 and intercept the final.' As pilot monitoring; I read back 'right turn 040 and intercept the final approach course for Runway 1.' Approximately 30 seconds later; Potomac Approach Controller stated; 'I told you heading 040 after OJAAY.' I responded with 'Approach; I heard and read back the clearance for a right turn to 040 to intercept the final approach for Runway 1.' The Controller then issued a left turn heading 320; and about 10 seconds later a right turn heading 040 to intercept the final approach course; this resolved the miscommunication and no traffic conflict resulted. The Captain and I both understood the clearance to be an immediate right turn heading 040 to intercept the Runway 1 final approach course. During the entire approach; the Potomac Approach Controller was speaking to numerous aircraft in a sarcastic and unprofessional manner; he sounded agitated and slightly overwhelmed. At one point another aircraft said with a disappointed tone; 'Come on!' It sounded like ATC had a voice change on the frequency shortly thereafter; possibly the Supervisor relieving the Controller for a break. ATC should maintain standard radio communication discipline and monitor readback in case what he intended to say was not the clearance received. ATC Supervisor should have stepped in sooner and help when Controller is overwhelmed/agitated.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.