Air carrier flight crew reported a momentary loss of aircraft control during departure from EWR airport.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported a momentary loss of aircraft control during departure from EWR airport.
Narrative
While acting as Pilot Monitoring (PM) on the Newark 4 departure from Runway 22R; after completing the after-takeoff checklist and flows (approximately 2;000 feet); I checked in with a very busy Departure Control. We were subsequently cleared to climb and maintain 11;000 feet and proceed direct to Solberg (SBJ). I set 11;000 feet in the Mode Control Panel (MCP); and the Pilot Flying (PF) acknowledged the clearance. I then became heads-down searching for Solberg on the FMC LEGS page but could not locate it. The PF commented that it was on the SID; which I interpreted as meaning it was already in the flight plan. As I continued searching; the aircraft banked sharply; triggering the aural BANK ANGLE" warning. I immediately looked up; called "Bank Angle! Bank Angle!"; and the PF promptly corrected the deviation. I then requested the controller to spell Solberg; upon receiving "Sierra Bravo Juliet;" I entered SBJ into the LEGS page; confirmed it with the PF; and executed the direct routing. The sequence of events occurred very rapidly; but the remainder of the flight continued uneventfully."
Second reporter narrative
While climbing out of EWR on the Newark 5/BIGGY transition I was hand flying. ATC advised us to go direct to Salsberg. The Captain misunderstood the controller and thought they had directed to 'silver.' I advised him it was Salsberg and on his SID. He was looking at the FMC and said it isn't in here. I said it's on his chart to expect SBJ enroute to BIGGY. He asked ATC to repeat the fix and they didn't answer. I began to turn the plane toward the direction of SBJ but was glancing back and forth at him and my flight director. He was still attempting to input the fix and ATC gave a new set of instructions and advised direct Salsberg and climb to 11;000 feet. He input 11;000 feet I verified the altitude and asked him to input SBJ at the top of the legs page. I noticed he was still attempting to input the fix name and searching the FMC so I pointed to the FMC to get his attention as I was turning right. He began to type SBJ and I was verifying and I received a bank angle notification. I corrected my bank and continued direct to the fix assigned by ATC.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.