ARTCC radar controller did not listen to aircraft call sign that returned his transmission.

Attributes
ACN	158090
Time
Date	199009
Day	Wed
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : fkn
State Reference	VA
Altitude	msl bound lower : 8700 msl bound upper : 10000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	Small Transport, Low Wing, 2 Turboprop Eng
Flight Phase	descent other
Route In Use	arrival other arrival star : star enroute airway : zdc
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Flight Phase	cruise other
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : atp
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 240 flight time total : 5300 flight time type : 240
ASRS Report	158090
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : first officer
Qualification	pilot : commercial pilot : instrument
Events
Anomaly	altitude deviation : excursion from assigned altitude conflict : airborne less severe non adherence : clearance non adherence : required legal separation non adherence : published procedure
Independent Detector	other controllera
Resolutory Action	controller : issued new clearance other
Consequence	Other
Miss Distance	vertical : 700
Supplementary
Primary Problem	ATC Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Operational Error

Narrative:

Center (wash 118.75) made a call for small transport number not understandable to descend to 8000'. When no one responded I asked center was the call to descend for small transport X. Center replied, 'yes sir small transport X descend to 8000'.' I replied, roger, 'small transport X leaving 10000' VOR 8000'.' descend through 8700' ARTCC center asked small transport X say altitude. I replied leaving 8700' for 8000'. ARTCC center replied small transport X maintain 9000' we have traffic at 8000', the descent to 8000' was for small transport Y.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ARTCC RADAR CTLR DID NOT LISTEN TO ACFT CALL SIGN THAT RETURNED HIS TRANSMISSION.

Narrative: CTR (WASH 118.75) MADE A CALL FOR SMT NUMBER NOT UNDERSTANDABLE TO DSND TO 8000'. WHEN NO ONE RESPONDED I ASKED CTR WAS THE CALL TO DSND FOR SMT X. CTR REPLIED, 'YES SIR SMT X DSND TO 8000'.' I REPLIED, ROGER, 'SMT X LEAVING 10000' VOR 8000'.' DSND THROUGH 8700' ARTCC CTR ASKED SMT X SAY ALT. I REPLIED LEAVING 8700' FOR 8000'. ARTCC CTR REPLIED SMT X MAINTAIN 9000' WE HAVE TFC AT 8000', THE DSNT TO 8000' WAS FOR SMT Y.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 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.