Air carrier departure from iad; with similar four digit call sign as previous departure; initiated w...

Attributes
ACN	820086
Time
Date	200901
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	IAD.Airport
State Reference	DC
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Medium Large Transport Low Wing 2 Turbojet Eng
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Climb
Route In Use	Vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Commercial Fixed Wing
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Climb
Route In Use	Vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying First Officer
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Person 2
Function	Captain Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	Deviation - Procedural Clearance

Narrative:

I was flying in the right seat. We received a clearance to turn right to a heading of 140 degrees; and change frequency to 125.65. We read back the clearance; paused; and changed frequencies. We began our turn and attempted to check on with no response; immediately went back to 125.05 to confirm the frequency; and ATC informed us that we took company abcd's clearance and to turn back to heading of 010 degrees. As we turned; ATC advised to turn to a heading of 140 degrees; and to change frequency to 125.65. We noticed an irregularity; and changed back to original frequency; and contacted ATC. I think not having call signs with only 1 digit difference operating from the same airport; or in the same area would have made a big difference. We were right behind the company aircraft with a call sign just 1 digit off. We were abcd; they were abce.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air Carrier departure from IAD; with similar four digit call sign as previous departure; initiated wrong initial heading; claiming similar call signs as casual.

Narrative: I was flying in the right seat. We received a clearance to turn right to a heading of 140 degrees; and change frequency to 125.65. We read back the clearance; paused; and changed frequencies. We began our turn and attempted to check on with no response; immediately went back to 125.05 to confirm the frequency; and ATC informed us that we took Company ABCD's clearance and to turn back to heading of 010 degrees. As we turned; ATC advised to turn to a heading of 140 degrees; and to change frequency to 125.65. We noticed an irregularity; and changed back to original frequency; and contacted ATC. I think not having call signs with only 1 digit difference operating from the same airport; or in the same area would have made a big difference. We were right behind the company aircraft with a call sign just 1 digit off. We were ABCD; they were ABCE.

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.

Air carrier departure from iad; with similar four digit call sign as previous departure; initiated wrong initial heading; claiming similar call signs as casual.