MD80 crew flew outbound on the wrong radial.

Attributes
ACN	460110
Time
Date	200001
Day	Mon
Local Time Of Day	1801 To 2400
Place
Locale Reference	navaid : fmh.vor
State Reference	NM
Altitude	msl single value : 33000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : zdv.artcc
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	MD-82
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Navigation In Use	other vortac
Flight Phase	cruise : level
Route In Use	enroute airway : ns.airway
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : first officer
Qualification	pilot : cfi pilot : atp pilot : commercial pilot : instrument pilot : multi engine
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 240 flight time total : 10000 flight time type : 2500
ASRS Report	460110
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : atp
Events
Anomaly	non adherence : published procedure non adherence : far non adherence : company policies other spatial deviation
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	flight crew : returned to intended or assigned course
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Flight Crew Human Performance
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

I was PNF, the captain flew outbound on the 105 degree radial and we should have been on the 089 degree radial. I started to say, 'something doesn't look right' and as I picked up my high 1/2 chart the flight attendant walked in the cockpit and I laid down the chart. After 4-5 mins, she left and at 40 mi (DME) I caught the error and I informed the captain. He turned 45 degrees to intercept the 089 degree radial. The main contributing factor was the distraction by the lead flight attendant. Another habit I've found to be of use is to not put down the chart or the microphone until the radial call is complete or the chart review is complete.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: MD80 CREW FLEW OUTBOUND ON THE WRONG RADIAL.

Narrative: I WAS PNF, THE CAPT FLEW OUTBOUND ON THE 105 DEG RADIAL AND WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE 089 DEG RADIAL. I STARTED TO SAY, 'SOMETHING DOESN'T LOOK RIGHT' AND AS I PICKED UP MY HIGH 1/2 CHART THE FLT ATTENDANT WALKED IN THE COCKPIT AND I LAID DOWN THE CHART. AFTER 4-5 MINS, SHE LEFT AND AT 40 MI (DME) I CAUGHT THE ERROR AND I INFORMED THE CAPT. HE TURNED 45 DEGS TO INTERCEPT THE 089 DEG RADIAL. THE MAIN CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE DISTR BY THE LEAD FLT ATTENDANT. ANOTHER HABIT I'VE FOUND TO BE OF USE IS TO NOT PUT DOWN THE CHART OR THE MIKE UNTIL THE RADIAL CALL IS COMPLETE OR THE CHART REVIEW IS COMPLETE.

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.