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Similar sounding four digit flight numbers both inbound to the same VOR were both cleared to maintain the same altitude. The first flight so cleared recognized the issue and returned to their originally cleared altitude while the error was corrected and all involved informed.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1155082 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201403 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZAU.ARTCC |
| State Reference | IL |
| Environment | |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200) |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Descent |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Captain Pilot Not Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Person 2 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying First Officer |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | ATC Issue All Types Conflict Airborne Conflict Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy |
Narrative:
We were level at FL230. Center cleared us to; 'descend and maintain FL220.' we started to descend. At about FL225; we heard center give air carrier aaba (a different flight enroute to the same VOR) the same assignment: descend and maintain FL220. The first officer immediately stopped our descent and initiated a climb back to FL230 while simultaneously; I asked to confirm our assignment. The controller seemed a little confused with the two similar call signs. (Ours was air carrier abba). He then gave us a new clearance to FL210. Center then cleared the other flight; air carrier aaba to FL220. Center then advised us both of similar call signs on frequency. Both flights acknowledged.if there is any way to keep similar sounding call signs from being in the same area it would help. Also; a huge help would be to go back to the 3 digit call sign. Air carrier bba sounds very different from air carrier aba.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: Similar sounding four digit flight numbers both inbound to the same VOR were both cleared to maintain the same altitude. The first flight so cleared recognized the issue and returned to their originally cleared altitude while the error was corrected and all involved informed.
Narrative: We were level at FL230. Center cleared us to; 'Descend and maintain FL220.' We started to descend. At about FL225; we heard Center give ACR AABA (a different flight enroute to the same VOR) the same assignment: Descend and Maintain FL220. The First Officer immediately stopped our descent and initiated a climb back to FL230 while simultaneously; I asked to confirm our assignment. The Controller seemed a little confused with the two similar call signs. (Ours was ACR ABBA). He then gave us a new clearance to FL210. Center then cleared the other flight; ACR AABA to FL220. Center then advised us both of similar call signs on frequency. Both flights acknowledged.If there is any way to keep similar sounding call signs from being in the same area it would help. Also; a huge help would be to go back to the 3 digit call sign. ACR BBA sounds very different from ACR ABA.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.