Track deviation. - NASA ASRS

Attributes
ACN	132299
Time
Date	199001
Day	Mon
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : ott
State Reference	MD
Altitude	msl bound lower : 33000 msl bound upper : 33000
Environment
Flight Conditions	Mixed
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : zdc
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	Medium Large Transport, Low Wing, 2 Turbojet Eng
Navigation In Use	Other Other
Flight Phase	cruise other cruise other
Route In Use	enroute airway : j61
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : instrument pilot : commercial pilot : atp
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 80 flight time total : 8000 flight time type : 150
ASRS Report	132299
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : first officer
Qualification	pilot : atp
Events
Anomaly	aircraft equipment problem : less severe non adherence : clearance other spatial deviation
Independent Detector	other controllera
Resolutory Action	flight crew : returned to intended course or assigned course flight crew : overcame equipment problem other
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

We had just departed dca in an medium large transport. After following the northeast noise abatement procedures and several vectors, we were directed RNAV direct daily intersection on course. After passing daily we noted that the FMS was tuning only 2 stations instead of the usual 4 or 5. The FMS then went into dead-reckoning. We pulled out our maps and started tuning the VOR's and correcting the course. FMS had been indicating about a 70 KT crosswind, when in fact we had 140 KTS. Center advised we were 8 mi left of course and vectored us for correction. We advised them of our situation and later reported the RNAV capability inoperative. We could prevent such an incident if we backed up the FMS with manual systems; however, that would defeat the whole concept of 2-M crews with high-tech computers assuming part of the workload. On a flight such as this, the only thing computers do for pilots is double the workload.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: TRACK DEVIATION.

Narrative: WE HAD JUST DEPARTED DCA IN AN MLG. AFTER FOLLOWING THE NE NOISE ABATEMENT PROCS AND SEVERAL VECTORS, WE WERE DIRECTED RNAV DIRECT DAILY INTXN ON COURSE. AFTER PASSING DAILY WE NOTED THAT THE FMS WAS TUNING ONLY 2 STATIONS INSTEAD OF THE USUAL 4 OR 5. THE FMS THEN WENT INTO DEAD-RECKONING. WE PULLED OUT OUR MAPS AND STARTED TUNING THE VOR'S AND CORRECTING THE COURSE. FMS HAD BEEN INDICATING ABOUT A 70 KT XWIND, WHEN IN FACT WE HAD 140 KTS. CENTER ADVISED WE WERE 8 MI LEFT OF COURSE AND VECTORED US FOR CORRECTION. WE ADVISED THEM OF OUR SITUATION AND LATER RPTED THE RNAV CAPABILITY INOP. WE COULD PREVENT SUCH AN INCIDENT IF WE BACKED UP THE FMS WITH MANUAL SYSTEMS; HOWEVER, THAT WOULD DEFEAT THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF 2-M CREWS WITH HIGH-TECH COMPUTERS ASSUMING PART OF THE WORKLOAD. ON A FLT SUCH AS THIS, THE ONLY THING COMPUTERS DO FOR PLTS IS DOUBLE THE WORKLOAD.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 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.