B767 crew was informed by a passenger that a panel on #2 engine was coming off.

Attributes
ACN	518079
Time
Date	200107
Day	Fri
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	airport : okc.airport
State Reference	OK
Altitude	msl single value : 39000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : zfw.artcc
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	B767 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	cruise : level descent : approach
Route In Use	approach : visual arrival : on vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : atp
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 200 flight time total : 17300 flight time type : 3800
ASRS Report	518079
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : first officer
Events
Anomaly	maintenance problem : improper maintenance non adherence : company policies non adherence : published procedure other anomaly other
Independent Detector	other other : pax 6
Resolutory Action	controller : issued new clearance controller : provided flight assist flight crew : diverted to another airport none taken : detected after the fact other
Consequence	other other
Factors
Maintenance	contributing factor : schedule pressure performance deficiency : inspection performance deficiency : installation
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Aircraft Maintenance Human Performance
Primary Problem	Maintenance Human Performance

Narrative:

At FL390, mach .81 and 50 mi east of okc, passenger informed flight attendant of loose panel on #2 (right) engine. Flight attendant confirmed and reported to flight crew. Crew visually inspected loose upper pylon cover panel, about to separate from engine. A descent and divert to dallas was initiated after consulting with flight control. During descent, near bowie VOR between 14000 ft and FL200, and 250 KTS, panel separated with a noticeable 'bang' and shudder. Panel struck right wing causing damage to slats. No control problems. Diversion continued to successful landing.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B767 CREW WAS INFORMED BY A PAX THAT A PANEL ON #2 ENG WAS COMING OFF.

Narrative: AT FL390, MACH .81 AND 50 MI E OF OKC, PAX INFORMED FLT ATTENDANT OF LOOSE PANEL ON #2 (R) ENG. FLT ATTENDANT CONFIRMED AND RPTED TO FLC. CREW VISUALLY INSPECTED LOOSE UPPER PYLON COVER PANEL, ABOUT TO SEPARATE FROM ENG. A DSCNT AND DIVERT TO DALLAS WAS INITIATED AFTER CONSULTING WITH FLT CTL. DURING DSCNT, NEAR BOWIE VOR BTWN 14000 FT AND FL200, AND 250 KTS, PANEL SEPARATED WITH A NOTICEABLE 'BANG' AND SHUDDER. PANEL STRUCK R WING CAUSING DAMAGE TO SLATS. NO CTL PROBS. DIVERSION CONTINUED TO SUCCESSFUL LNDG.

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.