Md-11 flight crew describes operating a flight that routinely displays a flap disagree message when ...

Narrative:

Upon logbook review; I noticed that the aircraft had multiple instances of the level 2 flap disagree alert appearing during flap extension on final along with flap indicating errors. Flap extension on the ground was normal for departure as was flap retraction after takeoff. During an aircraft status review inflight we noticed that the left outboard flap had an amber x displayed during flight with the left inboard showing 0. The captain of the flight and I discussed the possibility of the level 2 flap disagree alert occurring on our final approach. During flap extension on final; the flaps tracked normally to the requested position of 15 degrees; then shortly after; the level 2 flap disagree alert displayed. Upon selecting the configuration synoptic; the flap position displayed 20/14/15/14. We referenced the level 2 flap disagree checklist; which directs the crew to place the flaps to the last symmetrical condition; which in this case would be flaps 0. The intent of this checklist is to deal with a flap panel that jams without continuing to its requested position. This was not the case in this instance where the flap that was causing the disagree alert was extending symmetrically; but then slightly overextending enough to trigger the alert. Additionally; when the autopilot was disconnected during configuration no asymmetrical roll moment was noticed; leading the crew to believe it was an indication error. With this mind set; we opted to continue flap extension to landing flaps with the final indication of 50/37/37/35. We determined that the risks of landing with flaps 0 far outnumbered the risks of continuing with the flap disagree alert and opted to operate outside of the aom level 2 flap disagree procedure.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: MD-11 flight crew describes operating a flight that routinely displays a flap disagree message when flaps are extended during approach. Believing (correctly) that a faulty flap sensor is responsible for the message the QRH procedure is not followed and the message is ignored.

Narrative: Upon logbook review; I noticed that the aircraft had multiple instances of the Level 2 Flap Disagree alert appearing during flap extension on final along with flap indicating errors. Flap extension on the ground was normal for departure as was flap retraction after takeoff. During an aircraft status review inflight we noticed that the left outboard flap had an amber x displayed during flight with the left inboard showing 0. The captain of the flight and I discussed the possibility of the Level 2 Flap Disagree alert occurring on our final approach. During flap extension on final; the flaps tracked normally to the requested position of 15 degrees; then shortly after; the Level 2 Flap Disagree alert displayed. Upon selecting the configuration synoptic; the flap position displayed 20/14/15/14. We referenced the Level 2 Flap Disagree checklist; which directs the crew to place the flaps to the last symmetrical condition; which in this case would be Flaps 0. The intent of this checklist is to deal with a flap panel that jams without continuing to its requested position. This was not the case in this instance where the flap that was causing the Disagree alert was extending symmetrically; but then slightly overextending enough to trigger the alert. Additionally; when the autopilot was disconnected during configuration no asymmetrical roll moment was noticed; leading the crew to believe it was an indication error. With this mind set; we opted to continue flap extension to landing flaps with the final indication of 50/37/37/35. We determined that the risks of landing with Flaps 0 far outnumbered the risks of continuing with the Flap Disagree alert and opted to operate outside of the AOM Level 2 Flap Disagree procedure.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.

Attributes
ACN	1230370
Time
Date	201501
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	MD-11
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Route In Use	Visual Approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Flap/Slat Indication
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying First Officer
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50 Flight Crew Total 7000 Flight Crew Type 1800
Person 2
Function	Pilot Not Flying Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 46 Flight Crew Total 15000 Flight Crew Type 2500
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

Md-11 flight crew describes operating a flight that routinely displays a flap disagree message when flaps are extended during approach. Believing (correctly) that a faulty flap sensor is responsible for the message the QRH procedure is not followed and the message is ignored.