Narrative:

Just before intercepting the localizer for runway 34 zgsz the aircraft was being configured for landing. When flaps 5 was selected we got a leading edge slat asymmetry. We told zgsz approach that we were having some slat/flap issues and need radar vectors off the approach to complete checklist and work the problem. It soon became apparent that we were talking off script. Communication with zgsz approach became very difficult. We declared an emergency and turned off the approach to work the checklist and configure the aircraft for landing. Zgsz approach still seemed confused even after the emergency was declared. We hoped just to hear from zgsz 'cleared to land full length available trucks standing by' but they just seemed confused about what we were doing or our intentions. After that we finished running the leading edge slat asymmetry selected gear down and landed with out event. No over heated breaks or anything. We taxied in leaving flaps at 20 for inspection. Relating factors: language barrier and understanding foreign controllers will never respond like the us trained controllers that we are use to. Another possible contributing factor could be the heavy rain that delayed our departure. Very heavy rain that may have contaminated sensors that could have given us the indications.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: When the B767-300 flight crew was confronted with a LEADING EDGE FLAP ASSYMETRY warning as they configured for landing at ZGSZ (Shenzhen; PRC) they encountered significant additional difficulties coordinating their needs with ATC due to their limited facility with the English language. Most prominent was ATC's failure to recognize their declaration of an emergency.

Narrative: Just before intercepting the localizer for Runway 34 ZGSZ the aircraft was being configured for landing. When Flaps 5 was selected we got a Leading Edge Slat Asymmetry. We told ZGSZ Approach that we were having some Slat/Flap issues and need radar vectors off the approach to complete checklist and work the problem. It soon became apparent that we were talking off Script. Communication with ZGSZ Approach became very difficult. We declared an emergency and turned off the approach to work the checklist and configure the aircraft for landing. ZGSZ Approach still seemed confused even after the emergency was declared. We hoped just to hear from ZGSZ 'Cleared to land full length available trucks standing by' But they just seemed confused about what we were doing or our intentions. After that we finished running the Leading Edge Slat Asymmetry selected gear down and landed with out event. No over heated breaks or anything. We taxied in leaving flaps at 20 for inspection. Relating factors: Language barrier and understanding foreign controllers will never respond like the US trained controllers that we are use to. Another possible contributing factor could be the heavy rain that delayed our departure. Very heavy rain that may have contaminated sensors that could have given us the indications.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 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.