B787 Dreamliner Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 160; Flight Crew Total 14441; Flight Crew Type 2814
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors; Procedure
We requested a specific reroute due to volcanic ash. Magadan Air Traffic Controller was unable to communicate the clearance to us in English. We requested the clearance no less than 15 times; but all were incomprehensible. We requested an English speaking ATC; but the request was not understood by the Magadan ATC. This experience caused concern for all flight deck crew. We were highly uncomfortable approaching the clearance limit in Russian airspace with no further communication in English available to us. We felt that these circumstances were unsafe for the crew and passengers. Shortly before reaching our clearance limit point; we were able to log on to Magadan and receive clearance through CPDLC thereby avoiding an emergency.
B787 Captain reported that the flight crew was unable to communicate with ATC due to the Controller's incomprehensible readbacks.