Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Engineer; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 206; Flight Crew Total 23390; Flight Crew Type 12907
Human-Machine Interface
Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Aircraft; Human Factors
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.
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.