Air carrier X was given descent clearance meant for air carrier Y. Operational deviation.

Attributes
ACN	92550
Time
Date	198808
Day	Mon
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : vhp
State Reference	IN
Altitude	msl bound lower : 24000 msl bound upper : 31000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : zid
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	Large Transport, Low Wing, 3 Turbojet Eng
Flight Phase	descent other
Route In Use	enroute airway : j80
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
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 : 150 flight time total : 13000 flight time type : 12000
ASRS Report	92550
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : first officer
Qualification	pilot : instrument pilot : commercial
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 150 flight time total : 4000 flight time type : 150
ASRS Report	92708
Events
Anomaly	altitude deviation : excursion from assigned altitude other anomaly other
Independent Detector	other controllera
Resolutory Action	controller : issued new clearance other
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	ATC Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Operational Deviation

Narrative:

While flying air carrier X abc at FL310, ZID frequency 132.7 issued X abc clearance to descend to FL240 at XX26Z. This clearance was read back to ZID by the first officer and a descent was begun. We discussed this early descent clearance but decided it must be due to conflicting traffic as other aircraft were being given various clrncs. As we passed through FL295 ZID advised us to level at FL290. ZID stated the clearance to descend to FL240 was for air carrier Y abc. The first officer stated to ZID that the clearance was give to air carrier X and was acknowledged by X. The controller stated at this point that he had made a mistake. ZID made several calls for air carrier Y but got no response. It was at least 5 mins before Y came up on this frequency. When advised by the controller that he had been trying to reach him, air carrier Y stated they had just changed over to 132.7.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ACR X WAS GIVEN DESCENT CLRNC MEANT FOR ACR Y. OPERATIONAL DEVIATION.

Narrative: WHILE FLYING ACR X ABC AT FL310, ZID FREQ 132.7 ISSUED X ABC CLRNC TO DSND TO FL240 AT XX26Z. THIS CLRNC WAS READ BACK TO ZID BY THE F/O AND A DSCNT WAS BEGUN. WE DISCUSSED THIS EARLY DSCNT CLRNC BUT DECIDED IT MUST BE DUE TO CONFLICTING TFC AS OTHER ACFT WERE BEING GIVEN VARIOUS CLRNCS. AS WE PASSED THROUGH FL295 ZID ADVISED US TO LEVEL AT FL290. ZID STATED THE CLRNC TO DSND TO FL240 WAS FOR ACR Y ABC. THE F/O STATED TO ZID THAT THE CLRNC WAS GIVE TO ACR X AND WAS ACKNOWLEDGED BY X. THE CTLR STATED AT THIS POINT THAT HE HAD MADE A MISTAKE. ZID MADE SEVERAL CALLS FOR ACR Y BUT GOT NO RESPONSE. IT WAS AT LEAST 5 MINS BEFORE Y CAME UP ON THIS FREQ. WHEN ADVISED BY THE CTLR THAT HE HAD BEEN TRYING TO REACH HIM, ACR Y STATED THEY HAD JUST CHANGED OVER TO 132.7.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of August 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.