B767 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Time Pressure; Workload; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors; Airspace Structure; Procedure
On initial approach we were instructed to proceed direct to Ockham and to expect no delays into Heathrow. Prior to beginning the descent phase we briefed that we would hold at the clearance limit unless told otherwise. We were handed off to the final London controller and were told again to proceed direct to Ockham and descend to 9;000 ft. We complied. As we approached the fix I confirmed with my colleagues that we were not given a hold associated with the last clearance. All agreed. Approximately 1.5 miles prior to Ockham I asked the captain to confirm the instructions as we were not given a heading after the fix; which I thought was strange. The captain tried diligently several times to confirm the clearance; however due to frequency congestion he could not get a word in. We tried several more times to confirm our clearance and were told to stand by. We proceeded beyond Ockham still trying to get clarification. At this I thought it was prudent to turn back to Ockham VOR and take up the hold. As we discussed the turn back the controller gave us a heading back to the VOR and stated that the instructions were to hold over Ockham. Unfortunately none of us heard those instructions nor did the captain read such instructions back to the controller. The combination of the information given to us by the previous controller (stating no holding at Ockham) and the inability of the crew to ascertain on or confirm the clearance from the final controller created an ambiguous situation. Had we been able to confirm the instructions; as we attempted to several times prior to the fix; we could have avoided the error.
B767 First Officer reported uncertainty about the assigned clearance; but was unable to confirm because of frequency congestion. After OCKHAM; ATC directed them back to enter OCKHAM holding as previously instructed.