Navigation problem due to portable computer use in cabin.

Attributes
ACN	268564
Time
Date	199404
Day	Tue
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	airport : bwi
State Reference	MD
Altitude	msl bound lower : 8000 msl bound upper : 8000
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : bwi
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	Commercial Fixed Wing
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	climbout : intermediate altitude cruise other
Route In Use	departure sid : sid
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : atp pilot : flight engineer
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 75 flight time total : 10800 flight time type : 162
ASRS Report	268564
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : first officer
Qualification	pilot : instrument pilot : commercial pilot : atp
Events
Anomaly	non adherence : clearance other anomaly other other spatial deviation
Independent Detector	aircraft equipment other aircraft equipment : unspecified other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	other
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Air Traffic Incident	other

Narrative:

We departed baltimore on runway 28 using the paleo 2 balance SID. Shortly after takeoff, we were given a heading to intercept the paleo 2 balance SID (276 degree radial of sie). We showed centered on the radial, however, departure control showed us 10 M south of course, and gave a heading for a correction. We contacted the flight attendant and asked if any portable electronic device was in use. A passenger in first class was using a portable computer. After the computer was turned off, the navigation instruments returned to normal.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: NAV PROB DUE TO PORTABLE COMPUTER USE IN CABIN.

Narrative: WE DEPARTED BALTIMORE ON RWY 28 USING THE PALEO 2 BAL SID. SHORTLY AFTER TKOF, WE WERE GIVEN A HDG TO INTERCEPT THE PALEO 2 BAL SID (276 DEG RADIAL OF SIE). WE SHOWED CTRED ON THE RADIAL, HOWEVER, DEP CTL SHOWED US 10 M S OF COURSE, AND GAVE A HDG FOR A CORRECTION. WE CONTACTED THE FLT ATTENDANT AND ASKED IF ANY PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE WAS IN USE. A PAX IN FIRST CLASS WAS USING A PORTABLE COMPUTER. AFTER THE COMPUTER WAS TURNED OFF, THE NAV INSTS RETURNED TO NORMAL.

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.