Medium Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Distraction; Fatigue; Communication Breakdown; Confusion
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Landing Without Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Procedure; Human Factors
Landing on CMH Runway 28L without landing clearance. On approach we were being vectored for the ILS 28L in VMC conditions. CMH Approach Control was issuing headings and various speed reductions before final approach fix. The last ATC communications to us were 'cleared for ILS 28L approach.' We flew the approach uneventfully and upon landing; and exiting the runway at A7 high speed; queried ATC if we should contact Ground Control. The Controller on frequency stated that we were transmitting on Approach frequency. This is when we realized that we did not/were never instructed to contact Tower Controller and we had just landed without landing clearance. We contacted Ground Controller and he gave us a vague clearance to taxi to the ramp. Due to multiple taxiway closures in the vicinity of our taxi route we confirmed our taxi clearance and proceeded to ramp uneventfully. Once on the ramp and parked we had a short conversation with Ground Controller about the incident and they did not seem too concerned about it. Some contributing factors that may have led to this event. We were on duty 6 hours prior to nighttime departure. As [a] crew we discussed after landing how distracting the [Runway] 28L new style bright LED runway and approach lights were. Also infrequent radio transmissions during final approach phase of flight created a sense of security; as a crew we should have been more vigilant and proactive in receiving landing clearance. ATC could be more proactive in assuring pilots contact appropriate controller/frequency.
I told Ground that we were never handed off to the Tower from Approach and he responded with 'yes I know; we had you the whole time; its ok.' I readback our taxi clearance back and we proceeded to the ramp. The Controller seemed to be OK with it since it was VMC and [there was] no other traffic in the area or on the ground.
A fatigued flight crew landed at CMH during late night operations without clearance. Fatigue and distractions including bright LED approach lights and a lull due to the lack of frequency activity.