Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Human Factors; Procedure
The event started after center changed our arrival into CLE from the TRYBE3 to the ROLLN2. We did not have any issues loading and joining the new arrival. During our descent; there was frequent changes in ATC instructions; including headings off of the arrival; rejoining of the arrival; descend via the arrival; as well as being told to stop our descent earlier than originally planned. Eventually; we were left on a heading off of the arrival; when it sounded like a new Air Traffic Controller took over. At this point ATC cleared us for the approach; despite us still on a heading from the ILS course for 6L. When we asked for clarification the Controller seemed surprised that we were not on an arrival and told us to hold our heading. The Controller then cleared us direct to DEVYL; which the First Officer read back and the Controller did not correct. After flying towards DEVYL; the Controller told us to cross BETLL and cleared us for the approach. We again asked for clarification and he told us that he initially cleared us direct BETLL; not DEVYL; despite the lack of correction. At this point; approach told us to descend to 2;600 feet and report the field in sight; even though we were still in IMC. We told approach that we did not have the field and we were given a climb and vector to rejoin the ILS. The flight continued to a landing without any further issues.The cause of this event is due to the lack of correction on read back; combined with fixes that could be pronounced in different ways. The crew misheard the Controller and I assume that the Controller also misheard our read back due to the lack of correction.
Air carrier Captain reported experiencing a track heading deviation while on the ROLLN2 arrival to CLT. Captain stated similar sounding fix names BETYL and DEVYL contributed to the event.