B777 flight crew landing Runway 16L at RJAA is instructed to contact tower on frequency 118.2 and is cleared to land. After landing they are queried as to why they used 118.2 which is for Runway 16R and 118.35 should be used for the left.

2009-04 · NASA ASRS report 832366

Date: 2009-04 · Aircraft: B777-200 · Phase: approach

Synopsis

B777 flight crew landing Runway 16L at RJAA is instructed to contact tower on frequency 118.2 and is cleared to land. After landing they are queried as to why they used 118.2 which is for Runway 16R and 118.35 should be used for the left.

Narrative

We were in the approach segment and cleared for ILS 16L. Over FAF (BIRDY Intersection) Approach Control told us to contact Narita Tower on frequency 118.2. I confirmed the frequency with Approach Control; checked the approach plate to confirm frequency; and called Narita Tower on 118.2. We received a clearance to land and a wind report. After landing; the Tower normally sends us to Ground Control but didn't. We asked Tower for Ground frequency. When we contacted Ground Control; they cleared us to the gateway and asked us to contact Narita Tower on 118.35. They asked us if we had heard them clear us to land. We did not because Approach Control gave us 118.2. for Tower frequency. The Civil Aeronautics Board (Japan) shows frequency 118.35 for 16L. Our Commercial Plates show 118.2 and 118.35. Supplemental information from ACN 831716: I thought it was different that Tower did not tell us to contact Ground after landing on rollout. After the call to contact the Tower on the ground; I thought that we were given the wrong Tower frequency. There are 4 Tower frequencies at Narita listed on the Commercial Chart. I think now that they were using 118.35 for 16L and 118.2 for 16R. On the airport page there is no distinction made for which Tower frequency is for which runway. We were given 118.2 by Approach and given landing clearance on that frequency. The Captain said he specifically remembers being assigned that frequency because he looked at the frequency in his book once it was assigned. I try to tune the frequency in the VHF head so that the Captain and I can verify the frequency; but I was hand flying at the time so that layer of protection was gone. Callback conversation with Reporter revealed the following information: Although this incident seemed minor at the time as landing clearance was received; it has generated a great deal of correspondence between the company and the CAB of Japan. The CAB would like crews to use frequency 118.2 when landing on the west runway 118.35 when landing on the east runway. A controller assignment that differs from this should be questioned and hopefully the charts can be revised.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.

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