Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 45; Flight Crew Total 7000; Flight Crew Type 3500
Distraction; Human-Machine Interface
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
Human Factors
On initial climb out; the First Officer called for speed mode and navigation mode on the autopilot. I complied with his request. Tower then instructed us to contact Departure. I was in the process of looking down to change the frequency; and the airplane suddenly pitched up to an abnormally nose high attitude; and a slight right bank. I stated 'watch your pitch; put the nose down.' The First Officer pushed the nose from nearly 18 degrees nose up; down to a normal pitch attitude. He also started to correct back on course. We never got more than half a dot right of the course. Shortly after checking in with Departure; we were given headings that would be consistent with the RNAV departure course. [Eventually] we were cleared back onto the departure. The First Officer was looking downward and to the right out his side window as I looked down to change the radio. He explained that he thought that the autopilot was engaged; and when he let go of the airplane it pitched up without him noticing immediately. I feel that he would not have noticed soon enough if I had not spoken up. He seemed to be too engrossed in looking out the window. The First Officer often likes to talk about non-flying related things 'sports and girls' at the wrong time. I have reached an understanding with him that he needs to pay more attention to work and less to his personal interests. The First Officer told me at the gate that he knew a girl that lived just west of the airport. I did not feel that this information was important at the time; but now I see its importance. I am of the opinion that he was looking for her house; and not paying attention to the airplane. I also feel that he made little effort to trim the airplane properly prior to letting go of the controls. He was going to let the autopilot sort things out for him. Had the plane been in proper trim; it would have not made such a departure from normal flight. He was so distracted that he never called for the autopilot to be engaged. [This First Officer should learn to] 1. Maintain flight deck discipline. 2. Watch the flight path more diligently. 3. Instill the importance of never depending on the autopilot to take or maintain control. 4. Tie in sterile cockpit with not only to not talking; but also maintaining focus on important tasks such as controlling and navigating the aircraft.
CL65 Captain; as pilot not flying; looked up after changing frequencies during departure and notes the aircraft in a nose high attitude and the First Officer looking out the side window. When questioned the First Officer indicated that he thought the autopilot was engaged.