 |
37000 Feet | Browse and search NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System |
|
Corporate flight crew described an altitude clearance communication issue when a ZDC controller apparently confused similar call signs.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 933133 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201102 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZDC.ARTCC |
| State Reference | VA |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Beechjet 400 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Descent |
| Route In Use | Vectors |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | First Officer Pilot Not Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Flight Instructor |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 70 Flight Crew Total 2200 Flight Crew Type 300 |
| Person 2 | |
| Function | Captain Pilot Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 70 Flight Crew Total 4300 Flight Crew Type 1300 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | ATC Issue All Types |
Narrative:
We were given a vector 'for descent' of 245 degrees. We were instructed to descend from FL380 to FL370. Center controller then said 'aircraft xx direct greensboro and descend and maintain FL340.' we ask him to confirm the heading and altitude for us since he used the wrong call sign. After a long pause; the center controller came back with a large; sarcastic sigh; and repeated we were cleared to greensboro and FL340. Captain told him that he wasn't sure what the sigh was for; we wanted to confirm since he called us 'aircraft xx' instead of 'aircraft yy' and we did not want to be at an altitude that we shouldn't be. He responded and said 'yes; I am working you both.' after a brief exchange; he asked what we 'have.' the captain responded direct gso and FL340. He confirmed that for us and then also cleared the other aircraft that had the call sign that ended in 'xx' the same clearance. He obviously had the call signs confused and created some confusion on the frequency.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: Corporate flight crew described an altitude clearance communication issue when a ZDC Controller apparently confused similar call signs.
Narrative: We were given a vector 'for descent' of 245 degrees. We were instructed to descend from FL380 to FL370. Center Controller then said 'Aircraft XX direct Greensboro and descend and maintain FL340.' We ask him to confirm the heading and altitude for us since he used the wrong call sign. After a long pause; the Center Controller came back with a large; sarcastic sigh; and repeated we were cleared to Greensboro and FL340. Captain told him that he wasn't sure what the sigh was for; we wanted to confirm since he called us 'Aircraft XX' instead of 'Aircraft YY' and we did not want to be at an altitude that we shouldn't be. He responded and said 'yes; I am working you both.' After a brief exchange; he asked what we 'have.' The Captain responded direct GSO and FL340. He confirmed that for us and then also cleared the other aircraft that had the call sign that ended in 'XX' the same clearance. He obviously had the call signs confused and created some confusion on the frequency.
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.