A GLF4 flight crew experienced a loss of contact with ATC when both radios were inadvertently select...

Attributes
ACN	873628
Time
Date	201002
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Gulfstream IV / G350 / G450
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Air/Ground Communication
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Multiengine
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 80 Flight Crew Total 6400 Flight Crew Type 1400
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown

Narrative:

I decided to visit the lavatory and retrieve a refreshing beverage. Upon my return I sat down on the right seat and proceeded to have a short conversation with my co-worker. During the conversation; I tuned comm 1 to the destination ATIS. A few minutes later; we heard the ATIS being broadcast in our headsets. Puzzled; we looked down at the radios and to our amazement; we had two radios set to comm 2. I then transmitted in the blind on 121.5; stating our position and altitude; in order to obtain the correct center frequency. Once I contacted the appropriate frequency; the remainder of the trip was completed without any complication. We figured the comm selector switch had been accidentally activated by a seat belt upon exiting and re-entering the flight deck. I also overlooked this while I was setting the ATIS & company frequency on comm 1. As a result; the center's frequency was eliminated from the radio; thus accounting for 'the lost frequency'. Care should be taken when exiting from the pilot's seats. Since the radios are located within inches from each seat; the seat belt can easily reach the function keys of the radios causing an undesirable input/command.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A GLF4 flight crew experienced a loss of contact with ATC when both radios were inadvertently selected to the destination ATIS resulting in loss of the Center frequency. Reporter suspects the inadvertent selection was made when he exited the flight deck and the COMM selector switch was activated by accidental contact with the seatbelt.

Narrative: I decided to visit the lavatory and retrieve a refreshing beverage. Upon my return I sat down on the right seat and proceeded to have a short conversation with my co-worker. During the conversation; I tuned COMM 1 to the destination ATIS. A few minutes later; we heard the ATIS being broadcast in our headsets. Puzzled; we looked down at the radios and to our amazement; we had two radios set to COMM 2. I then transmitted in the blind on 121.5; stating our position and altitude; in order to obtain the correct center frequency. Once I contacted the appropriate frequency; the remainder of the trip was completed without any complication. We figured the COMM selector switch had been accidentally activated by a seat belt upon exiting and re-entering the flight deck. I also overlooked this while I was setting the ATIS & company frequency on COMM 1. As a result; the Center's frequency was eliminated from the radio; thus accounting for 'the lost frequency'. Care should be taken when exiting from the pilot's seats. Since the radios are located within inches from each seat; the seat belt can easily reach the function keys of the radios causing an undesirable input/command.

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.