THE PLT OF AN SMT READ BACK A CLRNC THAT WAS APPARENTLY FOR ANOTHER ACFT. THE RPTR WAS IN ICING CONDITIONS AND HAD REQUESTED A HIGHER ALT FROM ATC. SUBSEQUENT REVIEW OF THE INCIDENT REVEALED THAT THE RPTR'S ACFT HAD COME CLOSE TO BFD ARR TFC.

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AFTER DEP FROM BFD ARPT I WAS CLRED TO 4000 FT MSL S. AFTER ENTERING THE CLOUD; I STARTED TO PICK UP LIGHT TO MODERATE RIME ICE. I REQUESTED 7000 FT AND GOT THE RESPONSE THAT HE HAD INCOMING TFC AND IF I STILL WANTED HIGHER I WOULD BE VECTORED OUT OF MY WAY. I RESPONDED THAT THAT WAS ALRIGHT BECAUSE I WANTED TO GET UP ABOVE THE CLOUDS AND ICING. CTLR THEN TOLD ME (WHAT I THOUGHT) TO TURN TO HDG OF 275 DEGS AND CLB TO 5000 FT. I RESPONDED 'MY CALL SIGN; R TURN TO 275 DEGS; CLB TO 5000 FT LOOKING FOR 7000 FT.' NOTHING FURTHER WAS SAID UNTIL I REACHED 5000 FT AND HAD LEVELED OFF. THEN; THE CTLR ASKED ME IF I HAD PROB WITH UNDERSTANDING MY CLRNC TO 4000 FT. I RESPONDED WITH REPEATING WHAT I HAD READ BACK EARLIER AND APOLOGIZED IF THERE WAS ANY MISUNDERSTANDING AND IMMEDIATELY COMMENCED A DSCNT TOWARDS 4000 FT. UPON REACHING 4800 FT; I GOT CLRED TO 7000 FT (AT THAT TIME; WITH APPROX 3/4 INCH OF ICE ON THE WINGS). WHEN I WAS SWITCHED TO NEXT CTLR I WAS AGAIN ASKED ABOUT THE INCIDENT AND TOLD THAT I HAD BEEN TOO CLOSE TO THE INCOMING TFC TO BFD. THEY GAVE ME THE PHONE NUMBER TO THE CTLING AGENCY WHERE I SPOKE TO A SUPVR WHO ALREADY HAD PULLED THE TAPE AND BASICALLY CONFIRMED THE STORY ABOVE. IN THE CONVERSATION I WAS INFORMED THAT AT THIS TIME IT WAS THE CTLR'S RESPONSIBILITY TO CORRECT MY READBACK AND THAT I AND MY COMPANY WILL RECEIVE A RPT ON THE INCIDENT; AND ALSO THE HEARBACK/READBACK PROGRAM. NOTHING FURTHER WAS SAID FROM THEN ON.