Date: 201204
Local time of day: 0001-0600
Location: EISN.ARTCC, FO
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Night
Aircraft: B767 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Cruise
ATC / advisory: Center EISN
Aircraft component: MCP
Component problem: Improperly Operated
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Not Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Engineer; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Human factors: Human-Machine Interface
Anomaly: Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control; Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Human Factors
Primary problem: Human Factors

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.




Synopsis: 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.