Narrative:

We had just completed a 90 minute flight segment that included a flight control malfunction; an irregular procedure; frustrating communications with dispatch due to a poor phone patch; burning down fuel to below maximum landing weight by flying an ATC vector box pattern for roughly 75 minutes; and a non-standard configuration landing.after takeoff our flaps failed to retract. We flew in an ATC vectored box pattern as we accomplished the irregular procedure and coordinated with the company; ATC; maintenance; and the cabin crew. After an uneventful landing we taxied to the gate and parked followed by normal after flight procedures; a thorough debrief with maintenance; and also representatives from the rescue/fire group.we were not aware of being reassigned a spare aircraft and continuing the flight until after we deplaned. We were told it was being preflighted and a new cabin crew had been called to the airport. At this point the first officer and I found a quiet area where we could talk and accomplish a thorough post flight and self-evaluation. We were both very concerned that due to the irregular; waiting for a new crew; servicing the new aircraft; etc.; that there was a high probability that our alertness level at the end of the second segment would be quite poor and would adversely affect the arrival; approach; and landing. We discussed this for about 10-15 minutes; our discussion was thorough and included the desire to get our passengers to their intended destination. However we both reached the conclusion that the potential safety issues that would arise due to fatigue outweighed the desire to complete the flight. We informed the crew desk that we would not be able to continue without an intervening rest period.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier flight crew reported declining an all-nighter flight due to fatigue from an emergency on the previous leg which involved a lengthy procedure and delay.

Narrative: We had just completed a 90 minute flight segment that included a flight control malfunction; an irregular procedure; frustrating communications with dispatch due to a poor phone patch; burning down fuel to below maximum landing weight by flying an ATC vector box pattern for roughly 75 minutes; and a non-standard configuration landing.After takeoff our flaps failed to retract. We flew in an ATC vectored box pattern as we accomplished the irregular procedure and coordinated with the company; ATC; maintenance; and the cabin crew. After an uneventful landing we taxied to the gate and parked followed by normal after flight procedures; a thorough debrief with maintenance; and also representatives from the rescue/fire group.We were not aware of being reassigned a spare aircraft and continuing the flight until after we deplaned. We were told it was being preflighted and a new cabin crew had been called to the airport. At this point the FO and I found a quiet area where we could talk and accomplish a thorough post flight and self-evaluation. We were both very concerned that due to the irregular; waiting for a new crew; servicing the new aircraft; etc.; that there was a high probability that our alertness level at the end of the second segment would be quite poor and would adversely affect the arrival; approach; and landing. We discussed this for about 10-15 minutes; our discussion was thorough and included the desire to get our passengers to their intended destination. However we both reached the conclusion that the potential safety issues that would arise due to fatigue outweighed the desire to complete the flight. We informed the crew desk that we would not be able to continue without an intervening rest period.

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.