Narrative:

At FL380 and just prior to top of descent for a heavy-weight night landing; we received a pfd FMA of 'flap limit' and noted that the flap gauge indicated 1/2 with symmetrical needles and of course the flap handle was in the up position. We slowed the aircraft below the flaps 1 speed limit and the FMA went away. We also noted a status message of 'flap/slat elec'. We continued descent at slow speed and then attempted to configure for landing. Once we selected flaps 1 we immediately received the EICAS message 'te flap asym' and a 'trailing edge' discrete light and the flap gauge showed both needles 1/2 way between up and 1 with the flap handle in the 1 detent. After consulting QRH and having already had this issue in this aircraft previously; our assessment that a heavy-weight; slats-deployed; flaps-up landing would be required. We requested crash fire rescue equipment standing by. I was conducting new hire IOE and the student was PF during this leg and I elected to have the student remain PF until we accomplished all checklist items and then I took over PF duties for the landing phase. Landing was uneventful and we had crash fire rescue equipment follow us to the gate and they remained with the plane while the brakes continued to cool. This was the 3rd occurrence of this flight control malfunction in this aircraft.note: new hire IOE first officer did an outstanding job in all aspects of his duties during this event. Unknown (reoccurring) aircraft system malfunction with this AC.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A B757 Primary Flight Display FMA annunciated FLAP LIMIT at the top of descent with flap handle up but the flap gauge indicating one half degree symmetrical flaps. With Flaps 1 selection EICAS the alerted TE FLAP ASYM and TRAILING EDGE so the QRH was completed and a normal landing was accomplished with Crash Fire Rescue standing by.

Narrative: At FL380 and just prior to top of descent for a heavy-weight night landing; we received a PFD FMA of 'FLAP LIMIT' and noted that the flap gauge indicated 1/2 with symmetrical needles and of course the flap handle was in the up position. We slowed the aircraft below the flaps 1 speed limit and the FMA went away. We also noted a status message of 'FLAP/SLAT ELEC'. We continued descent at slow speed and then attempted to configure for landing. Once we selected flaps 1 we immediately received the EICAS message 'TE FLAP ASYM' and a 'TRAILING EDGE' Discrete light and the flap gauge showed both needles 1/2 way between up and 1 with the Flap handle in the 1 detent. After consulting QRH and having already had this issue in this aircraft previously; our assessment that a heavy-weight; slats-deployed; flaps-up landing would be required. We requested CFR standing by. I was conducting new hire IOE and the student was PF during this leg and I elected to have the student remain PF until we accomplished all checklist items and then I took over PF duties for the landing phase. Landing was uneventful and we had CFR follow us to the gate and they remained with the plane while the brakes continued to cool. This was the 3rd occurrence of this flight control malfunction in this aircraft.Note: New Hire IOE FO did an outstanding job in all aspects of his duties during this event. Unknown (reoccurring) aircraft system malfunction with this AC.

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.