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Passing 18;000 ft during climb; a B757 first officer is informed by a flight attendant that a passenger has seen part of the left wing leading edge come off the aircraft. After consulting with maintenance; it is determined that a previous repair may have failed and flight diverts to nearest suitable airport.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 897657 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201007 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0001-0600 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.ARTCC |
| State Reference | US |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | B757-200 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Climb |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Leading Edge Slat |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | First Officer Pilot Not Flying |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 180 Flight Crew Total 15000 Flight Crew Type 6000 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical |
Narrative:
On climbout passing 18;000 ft; the flight attendants called the flight deck to advise us that a passenger had observed a part of the left wing leading edge had come off the plane. We did not have any control issues at this time; and we asked if the passenger had any flight experience; or any knowledge that would help detail the problem. He identified himself as an FAA general aviation inspector. Upon level off; I (the first officer) went back to talk to the witness; and inspect the wing. There was a hole in the top of the leading edge of the left wing. We called dispatch and maintenance; and discussed the problem. Maintenance advised us that a previous repair to that leading edge must have worked itself loose. ZZZ was chosen as the best divert choice from our current location. We declared an emergency with ATC; and they gave us direct with some deviation for weather along the way. Dispatch sent us all the appropriate paperwork for the diversion; and we set up for the arrival and landing. The landing was uneventful; the fire trucks inspected us upon arrival; and maintenance met us at the gate. We submitted the report for the overweight landing; and gave maintenance a verbal briefing in addition to the required paperwork.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: Passing 18;000 FT during climb; a B757 First Officer is informed by a Flight Attendant that a passenger has seen part of the left wing leading edge come off the aircraft. After consulting with maintenance; it is determined that a previous repair may have failed and flight diverts to nearest suitable airport.
Narrative: On climbout passing 18;000 FT; the Flight Attendants called the flight deck to advise us that a passenger had observed a part of the left wing leading edge had come off the plane. We did not have any control issues at this time; and we asked if the passenger had any flight experience; or any knowledge that would help detail the problem. He identified himself as an FAA General Aviation Inspector. Upon level off; I (the First Officer) went back to talk to the witness; and inspect the wing. There was a hole in the top of the leading edge of the left wing. We called Dispatch and Maintenance; and discussed the problem. Maintenance advised us that a previous repair to that leading edge must have worked itself loose. ZZZ was chosen as the best divert choice from our current location. We declared an emergency with ATC; and they gave us direct with some deviation for weather along the way. Dispatch sent us all the appropriate paperwork for the diversion; and we set up for the arrival and landing. The landing was uneventful; the fire trucks inspected us upon arrival; and maintenance met us at the gate. We submitted the report for the overweight landing; and gave maintenance a verbal briefing in addition to the required paperwork.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.