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Air carrier captain describes communications difficulties arriving iad caused by similar sounding callsigns.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 889122 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201005 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0601-1200 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZDC.ARTCC |
| State Reference | VA |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Commercial Fixed Wing |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Descent |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying Captain |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met Deviation - Procedural Clearance |
Narrative:
On the flight inbound to iad; we were being followed by a company flight with a similar sounding four digit call sign. Multiple times; the controller used our flight number but was wanting to assign it to our sister flight. Descending to druzz we were assigned to cross at 11000 feet and 250 knots as depicted in the arrival. Passing through about 14000 feet the controller assigned a turn to the left by 20 degrees to our flight number but wanting our sister flight to do it. A conflict ensued between the three of us for moment and all was resolved. Then through about 12000 feet once again our flight number was asked to level at 12000; but we had already passed through it and reset altitude and read back. Again the controller was frustrated and told us we were wrong; he wanted our sister flight to level off. We utilized VNAV and due to the level off at 12000 we failed to cross druzz at 11000 (although we had slowed to 250). Nothing was discussed between us and the controller about not making druzz at 11000.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: Air Carrier Captain describes communications difficulties arriving IAD caused by similar sounding callsigns.
Narrative: On the flight inbound to IAD; we were being followed by a company flight with a similar sounding four digit call sign. Multiple times; the Controller used our flight number but was wanting to assign it to our sister flight. Descending to DRUZZ we were assigned to cross at 11000 feet and 250 knots as depicted in the arrival. Passing through about 14000 feet the Controller assigned a turn to the left by 20 degrees to our flight number but wanting our sister flight to do it. A conflict ensued between the three of us for moment and all was resolved. Then through about 12000 feet once again our flight number was asked to level at 12000; but we had already passed through it and reset altitude and read back. Again the Controller was frustrated and told us we were wrong; he wanted our sister flight to level off. We utilized VNAV and due to the level off at 12000 we failed to cross DRUZZ at 11000 (although we had slowed to 250). Nothing was discussed between us and the Controller about not making DRUZZ at 11000.
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.