ZOA controller described a loss of separation event when an altitude assignment; relayed through and...

Narrative:

I was working sectors 4 and 7 which are non-radar sectors in the ocean. I sent a clearance via arinc to aircraft X to climb and maintain F350. I got a call from arinc saying they issued a clearance to the wrong aircraft. I realized they cleared aircraft Y to climb to FL350 which resulted in a loss of separation with aircraft Z who was also at F350 with less than 10 min non-radar longitudinal separation. I coordinated with sector 3 and cleared the aircraft to maintain FL340. This was clearly a case of similar sounding call signs and there was some miscommunication at arinc about this clearance. It is important to ensure the correct aircraft takes the clearance you give. Clarification is important especially in the non-radar environment.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ZOA Controller described a loss of separation event when an altitude assignment; relayed through and assigned by ARINC; was incorrectly issued to another (same company) aircraft with a similar flight number.

Narrative: I was working Sectors 4 and 7 which are Non-RADAR sectors in the ocean. I sent a clearance via ARINC to Aircraft X to climb and maintain F350. I got a call from ARINC saying they issued a clearance to the wrong aircraft. I realized they cleared Aircraft Y to climb to FL350 which resulted in a loss of separation with Aircraft Z who was also at F350 with less than 10 min non-RADAR longitudinal separation. I coordinated with Sector 3 and cleared the aircraft to maintain FL340. This was clearly a case of similar sounding call signs and there was some miscommunication at ARINC about this clearance. It is important to ensure the correct aircraft takes the clearance you give. Clarification is important especially in the non-RADAR environment.

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	956727
Time
Date	201107
Local Time Of Day	0001-0600
Place
Locale Reference	ZOA.ARTCC
State Reference	CA
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B737-800
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Oceanic
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Person 2
Function	Enroute
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

ZOA controller described a loss of separation event when an altitude assignment; relayed through and assigned by arinc; was incorrectly issued to another (same company) aircraft with a similar flight number.