B767 flight crew reports switching to the wrong frequency during departure; which takes several minu...

Narrative:

We were climbing out when we got a frequency change. I heard and the captain reported to switch to 126.5. The captain checked in and it sounded like the controller responded with a roger. The frequency seemed very busy which seemed like a reasonable response. After a couple of minutes of being level at 10;000 ft we got a TCAS TA. At that time a plane in front of us descended to 9;000 ft. I began to wonder if we were on the right frequency. I heard some ATC conversations with another aircraft about an ILS. This did not sound right to me. I told the other crew members; this does not seem right I don't think we are on the right frequency. The captain then called the controller again with call sign only. The controller responded by saying all aircraft to standby. The captain waited another minute or so until he could get another word in and said; departure this is air carrier XXX. The controller then said; air carrier xxy go ahead. The captain then said; no this is air carrier XXX; are we on the right frequency. The controller then said; return to previously assigned frequency. We returned to previous frequency and ATC said; air carrier X where have you been the last 45 miles; we have been looking for you. The captain did not respond initially. Then ATC said again where were you? The captain said we were on the wrong frequency. ATC responded; which frequency? The captain said; 126.5. We then received further climb clearance and a direct to our first waypoint. Flight continued to destination uneventfully.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B767 Flight Crew reports switching to the wrong frequency during departure; which takes several minute to detect and correct. Company flights with similar flight numbers were on the frequency.

Narrative: We were climbing out when we got a frequency change. I heard and the Captain reported to switch to 126.5. The Captain checked in and it sounded like the Controller responded with a roger. The frequency seemed very busy which seemed like a reasonable response. After a couple of minutes of being level at 10;000 FT we got a TCAS TA. At that time a plane in front of us descended to 9;000 FT. I began to wonder if we were on the right frequency. I heard some ATC conversations with another aircraft about an ILS. This did not sound right to me. I told the other crew members; this does not seem right I don't think we are on the right frequency. The Captain then called the Controller again with call sign only. The Controller responded by saying all aircraft to standby. The Captain waited another minute or so until he could get another word in and said; Departure this is Air Carrier XXX. The Controller then said; Air Carrier XXY go ahead. The Captain then said; no this is Air Carrier XXX; are we on the right frequency. The Controller then said; return to previously assigned frequency. We returned to previous frequency and ATC said; Air Carrier X where have you been the last 45 miles; we have been looking for you. The Captain did not respond initially. Then ATC said again where were you? The Captain said we were on the wrong frequency. ATC responded; which frequency? The Captain said; 126.5. We then received further climb clearance and a direct to our first waypoint. Flight continued to destination uneventfully.

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.

Attributes
ACN	916314
Time
Date	201010
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B767-300 and 300 ER
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Initial Climb
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying First Officer
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 180 Flight Crew Total 11500 Flight Crew Type 8000
Person 2
Function	Relief Pilot Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 250 Flight Crew Total 13500 Flight Crew Type 6200
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural FAR

B767 flight crew reports switching to the wrong frequency during departure; which takes several minute to detect and correct. Company flights with similar flight numbers were on the frequency.