Flight crew off approach control frequency when tower is selected inadvertently.

Attributes
ACN	448250
Time
Date	199909
Day	Fri
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	navaid : rap.vortac
State Reference	SD
Altitude	msl single value : 7000
Environment
Flight Conditions	Mixed
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : rap.tracon
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	Commercial Fixed Wing
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Navigation In Use	other
Flight Phase	descent : approach
Route In Use	arrival : on vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : atp
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 170 flight time total : 2565 flight time type : 1340
ASRS Report	448250
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : first officer
Qualification	pilot : commercial pilot : instrument pilot : multi engine
Events
Anomaly	non adherence : far
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	none taken : anomaly accepted
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Flight Crew Human Performance
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

During vector for ILS approach, crew noted on navigation display that the aircraft was approaching the final approach course. When captain queried ATC for a final vector and approach clearance, the crew realized tower frequency had been inadvertently selected (and approach control deselected) for an estimated 5-30 seconds. Crew returned to approach control frequency and apologized for the brief loss of communication. Approach stated there was no problem and gave vector to intercept the localizer, and cleared for ILS approach. Crew handled problem well and was encouraged to continue to aim for top situational awareness, especially during critical phases of flight.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: FLC OFF APCH CTL FREQ WHEN TWR IS SELECTED INADVERTENTLY.

Narrative: DURING VECTOR FOR ILS APCH, CREW NOTED ON NAV DISPLAY THAT THE ACFT WAS APCHING THE FINAL APCH COURSE. WHEN CAPT QUERIED ATC FOR A FINAL VECTOR AND APCH CLRNC, THE CREW REALIZED TWR FREQ HAD BEEN INADVERTENTLY SELECTED (AND APCH CTL DESELECTED) FOR AN ESTIMATED 5-30 SECONDS. CREW RETURNED TO APCH CTL FREQ AND APOLOGIZED FOR THE BRIEF LOSS OF COM. APCH STATED THERE WAS NO PROB AND GAVE VECTOR TO INTERCEPT THE LOC, AND CLRED FOR ILS APCH. CREW HANDLED PROB WELL AND WAS ENCOURAGED TO CONTINUE TO AIM FOR TOP SITUATIONAL AWARENESS, ESPECIALLY DURING CRITICAL PHASES OF FLT.

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.