B737 flight crew reports misunderstanding a clearance to turn to 040 degrees after OJAAY and turns immediately to that heading; much to the chagrin of a PCT Controller. The B737 crew is rebuked by the Controller; along with another air carrier crew that had also deviated from their cleared route.
Synopsis
B737 flight crew reports misunderstanding a clearance to turn to 040 degrees after OJAAY and turns immediately to that heading; much to the chagrin of a PCT Controller. The B737 crew is rebuked by the Controller; along with another air carrier crew that had also deviated from their cleared route.
Narrative
Event was a miscommunication with ATC. It occurred while on OJAAY ONE RNAV ARRIVAL into DCA. Just prior to the event; we had been vectored off the arrival at RIC for spacing; and then resumed the arrival. While at 10;000 FT/250 knots between RIC and OJAAY we were given the following instruction by Potomac Approach; 'turn right heading 040 and intercept the final.' As pilot monitoring; I read back 'right turn 040 and intercept the final approach course for Runway 1.' Approximately 30 seconds later; Potomac Approach Controller stated; 'I told you heading 040 after OJAAY.' I responded with 'Approach; I heard and read back the clearance for a right turn to 040 to intercept the final approach for Runway 1.' The Controller then issued a left turn heading 320; and about 10 seconds later a right turn heading 040 to intercept the final approach course; this resolved the miscommunication and no traffic conflict resulted. The Captain and I both understood the clearance to be an immediate right turn heading 040 to intercept the Runway 1 final approach course. During the entire approach; the Potomac Approach Controller was speaking to numerous aircraft in a sarcastic and unprofessional manner; he sounded agitated and slightly overwhelmed. At one point another aircraft said with a disappointed tone; 'Come on!' It sounded like ATC had a voice change on the frequency shortly thereafter; possibly the Supervisor relieving the Controller for a break. ATC should maintain standard radio communication discipline and monitor readback in case what he intended to say was not the clearance received. ATC Supervisor should have stepped in sooner and help when Controller is overwhelmed/agitated.
Second reporter narrative
There is the very real possibility that the Controller said 'after OJAAY' in our clearance. But what we both heard and understood was 'turn right...' like now. What we readback was 'turn right...'There are a number of factors which led up to our implied deviation from ATC clearance. I would recommend the following to prevent future errors:1) No unprofessional chatter on the frequency.2) Remember...both pilots may not be 'regulars' into DCA. We have absolutely no preconceived notion of what clearance to expect. Charted procedures are the only thing we have to rely on.3) The STAR says to EXPECT RADAR vectors to final approach course after IRONS. If you intend to regularly use OJAAY; maybe the note should be moved to OJAAY.4) Adding an IRONS transition to the ILS Runway 1 approach chart would cut down on 'conditional' radar vector clearances which can easily be truncated by radio chatter...and misunderstood.5) Controllers should pay close attention to 'readback errors'...had the Controller actually heard our readback; he would have caught the error before we started a turn. Maybe the 'regulars' abbreviate their readbacks...and the Controllers have gotten used to it; I don't know. We were not abbreviating our clearance.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.