ASRS 2009903
ACN 2009903 · 2023-06 · Commercial Fixed Wing
Air carrier Captain reported similar sounding fixes on the AMA RNP Z 22 approach, PULBE and TELVE, which caused a clearance and heading deviation.
Pilot narrative
Verbatim, de-identified by NASA. Placeholders: ZZZ,
X, Y.
On arrival to AMA, PF (Pilot Flying) requested the RNP Z 22. Approach Control cleared us to fly the approach with the initial fix ZATRO. PF had FMS loaded with the initial fix PULBE. PF had PM (Pilot Monitoring) request initial fix PULBE. ATC then cleared us initial fix TELVE. Similar sounding and we couldn't decipher the difference between "TELVE" and "PULBE" over the radio and proceeded to initial fix PULBE. ATC queried us approximately five miles before PULBE and indicated we weren't heading to TELVE. That's when the miscommunication was discovered, and ATC allowed us to continue the approach via PULBE. The rest of approach and landing were uneventful. RNAV/RNP Approaches should not have similar sounding initial fixes.
NASA classification · Anomalies
- ATC Issue
- Deviation - Track / Heading
- Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural
NASA classification · Assessments
- Contributing Factors / Situations
- Airspace Structure · Software and Automation · Chart Or Publication
- Primary Problem
- Airspace Structure
ASRS reports are voluntary, de-identified by NASA, and represent the reporter's perspective; they are not investigated and cannot be used to infer prevalence. Authoritative source: asrs.arc.nasa.gov ↗