Embraer Jet Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Situational Awareness
Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Wake Vortex Encounter
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Procedure; Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
We were on the DRLLR5 Arrival into IAH. We were given clearance to descend via the Arrival and maintain 250 KIAS. As we approached DOMNO descending through 10;000 feet we hit some wake turbulence. Shortly after; we received a 'Lateral Mode Off' message. I reached over and armed the NAV mode. The LNAV captured and the aircraft started the turn towards ZOEEE. Monitoring the turn; I saw we were off course and turning slowly to correct. I advised the First Officer to switch to HDG; and then told him to use the TCS (Touch Control Steering) for faster correction. At this point; ATC gave us a heading and queried us. I advised them we lost lateral mode. They then continued to vector us until the approach.The threat was the loss of lateral mode at a point where the aircraft would be turning. Not selecting the best corrective action resulted in the aircraft being off course. I'm not sure there is much we can do to prevent this. However; if it should happen again; it is probably best to go straight to TCS for prompt correction.
Embraer regional jet Captain reported a track deviation occurred on arrival into IAH; wake turbulence was cited as a contributing factor.