Large Transport
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 6
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Airspace Structure; Chart Or Publication
Aircraft X was on a vector of 190 from ZME to go around weather and short cut the arrival route.  The Final Controller informed me that the aircraft could have Runway 18R to accommodate its parking.  I assigned the aircraft Runway 18R and told him to proceed to BLEWS (the initial approach fix for 18R; pronounced 'blues'). That heading should have been a right hand turn to about 235 degrees; the aircraft turned left to a heading of approximately 110.  I realized the aircraft was making an incorrect turn and called ZME to inform them that he would be turning back towards the airport.  What the aircraft had done was turn towards another fix in our airspace called BLUZZ (also pronounced 'blues') the north eastern RNAV arrival fix.  After getting the aircraft back towards the airport the pilot suggested on frequency that the those names be changed.  Had there been another aircraft on the arrival from the northeast it would have been a very unsafe situation.The recommendation I make is the same that the pilot made; that one of the two fix names be changed to eliminate any future; potentially dangerous; confusion.
Aircraft Y; checked on the BLUZZ RNAV Arrival at 10;000 MSL.  Due to a slow moving aircraft; I assigned him Runway 18R as the other was landing the left.  As the aircraft entered my airspace; I descended him to 5;000 MSL and cleared him direct BLEWS; the initial approach fix for Runway 18R.  I received no answer for approximately 30 seconds to which I then responded with 'Aircraft Y; Memphis.'  The aircraft then replied 'Oh you; meant B L E W S;' (he spelled it out).  I then gave him a heading of 230; direct BLEWS when able.There are two fixes in or near Memphis Approach airspace that sound similar (BLUZZ and BLEWS; both are pronounced like the color with an s on it) and one should be changed.
Two different reports with confusion of similar sounding intersections (BLUZZ and BLEWS) in the same airspace causing pilots to turn towards the other one.