Air carrier inbound to jfk described a similar call sign mix up; ATC claiming the reporter accepted ...

Narrative:

On approach into jfk; vectored over lga while on the kingston arrival; another same company flight was operating in the same N90 approach airspace we were. Approach advised both flights to use caution for similar call signs; to which both flights responded. We proceeded to get vectors for the ILS 22L in jfk at the same time as the other flight. As we descended; the controller; who was working us the entire time; gave us a clearance to descend to 7;000; with a turn to the left. We anticipated this as the downwind turn. As we descended through 10;500 for 7;000 another controller came on frequency and told us to level; (10;000 feet at time of contact); and make another turn. This different controller then mentioned that he thought we had taken the clearance of the other similar sounding call sign. We had been talking to N90 approach for about 20 minutes by this point; and were positive that we had not taken another call signs instructions; each flight was answering there own name. From that point on; we received vectors to join the traffic line up for approach. At no time during this did we ever have any doubts that we had responded to our own correct call sign instructions. There was no traffic conflict during this. Both of us were monitoring the ATC radio. Suggestions; the problem sounds like ATC was getting our similar sounding call signs mixed up.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier inbound to JFK described a similar call sign mix up; ATC claiming the reporter accepted a clearance issued to another same company aircraft.

Narrative: On approach into JFK; vectored over LGA while on the Kingston arrival; another same company flight was operating in the same N90 Approach airspace we were. Approach advised both flights to use caution for similar call signs; to which both flights responded. We proceeded to get vectors for the ILS 22L in JFK at the same time as the other flight. As we descended; the Controller; who was working us the entire time; gave us a clearance to descend to 7;000; with a turn to the left. We anticipated this as the downwind turn. As we descended through 10;500 for 7;000 another Controller came on frequency and told us to level; (10;000 feet at time of contact); and make another turn. This different Controller then mentioned that he thought we had taken the clearance of the other similar sounding call sign. We had been talking to N90 Approach for about 20 minutes by this point; and were positive that we had not taken another call signs instructions; each flight was answering there own name. From that point on; we received vectors to join the traffic line up for approach. At no time during this did we ever have any doubts that we had responded to our own correct call sign instructions. There was no traffic conflict during this. Both of us were monitoring the ATC radio. Suggestions; the problem sounds like ATC was getting our similar sounding call signs mixed up.

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	866631
Time
Date	200912
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	JFK.Airport
State Reference	NY
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Medium Transport Low Wing 2 Turbojet Eng
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Route In Use	STAR Kingston
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Commercial Fixed Wing
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	First Officer Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Commercial
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 138 Flight Crew Total 3466 Flight Crew Type 2188
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types

Air carrier inbound to jfk described a similar call sign mix up; ATC claiming the reporter accepted a clearance issued to another same company aircraft.