B767 captain described a track deviation on a north atlantic track when the MCP heading set knob was...

Narrative:

Pm (pilot monitoring) accidentally engaged heading select on MCP (mode control panel) while returning flight plan clipboard to the glare shield. The error occurred at W030 on the nat's. Several factors contributed to the error going unnoticed for about five minutes: 1) ten degree course change resulting in a 15 to 20 degree heading change due to a strong left quartering tailwind. 2) frequency changes from gander to shanwick. 3) extended time for radio check in and SELCAL due to other radio traffic. 4) automated cpdlc check in message from shanwick. I used this first cpdlc message to explain the need to print all messages received so both pilots can read the entire message prior to accepting. About this time the PF (pilot flying) noticed we were off course and turned sharply back towards course. Shanwick called and asked if we were 'operations normal.' pm stated; 'affirmative; proceeding to n55w020.' moments later shanwick called again and stated; 'ads reports you are 15 miles right of course; state reason' pm replied; 'roger; correcting back to course. Reason: accidental engagement of heading select.' as we were turning back on course at this time; just outside of the 80 mile circle; pm reported to shanwick. 'Back on course to n55w020.' a few minutes later shanwick called again and stated; 'no traffic conflict and no report.' pm acknowledged. After completing the crew change; we called shanwick to confirm his message of 'no traffic conflict and no report to be filed.' shanwick replied. 'Standby; will call you back.' after a few minutes shanwick called and stated. 'There was no traffic conflict and no report to be filed.' an audible tone with MCP changes out of LNAV or VNAV. When distractions occur; even normal ones; remember to continue to cross check and not allow the distraction to focus all the attention on it.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B767 Captain described a track deviation on a North Atlantic Track when the MCP heading set knob was inadvertently pushed returning a clip board to the glare shield. The error went undetected for five minutes resulting in a fifteen mile track deviation.

Narrative: PM (Pilot Monitoring) accidentally engaged Heading Select on MCP (Mode Control Panel) while returning flight plan clipboard to the glare shield. The error occurred at W030 on the NAT's. Several factors contributed to the error going unnoticed for about five minutes: 1) Ten degree course change resulting in a 15 to 20 degree heading change due to a strong left quartering tailwind. 2) Frequency changes from Gander to Shanwick. 3) Extended time for radio check in and SELCAL due to other radio traffic. 4) Automated CPDLC check in message from Shanwick. I used this first CPDLC message to explain the need to print all messages received so both pilots can read the entire message prior to accepting. About this time the PF (Pilot Flying) noticed we were off course and turned sharply back towards course. Shanwick called and asked if we were 'operations normal.' PM stated; 'Affirmative; proceeding to N55W020.' Moments later Shanwick called again and stated; 'ADS reports you are 15 miles right of course; state reason' PM replied; 'Roger; correcting back to course. Reason: accidental engagement of Heading Select.' As we were turning back on course at this time; just outside of the 80 mile circle; PM reported to Shanwick. 'Back on course to N55W020.' A few minutes later Shanwick called again and stated; 'No traffic conflict and no report.' PM acknowledged. After completing the crew change; we called Shanwick to confirm his message of 'no traffic conflict and no report to be filed.' Shanwick replied. 'Standby; will call you back.' After a few minutes Shanwick called and stated. 'There was no traffic conflict and no report to be filed.' An audible tone with MCP changes out of LNAV or VNAV. When distractions occur; even normal ones; remember to continue to cross check and not allow the distraction to focus all the attention on it.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1007225
Time
Date	201204
Local Time Of Day	0001-0600
Place
Locale Reference	EISN.ARTCC
State Reference	FO
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B767 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Cruise
Route In Use	Oceanic
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	MCP
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Flight Engineer Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 206 Flight Crew Total 23390 Flight Crew Type 12907
Events
Anomaly	Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Deviation - Track / Heading All Types

B767 captain described a track deviation on a north atlantic track when the MCP heading set knob was inadvertently pushed returning a clip board to the glare shield. The error went undetected for five minutes resulting in a fifteen mile track deviation.