Narrative:

While being vectored to land; we were given a speed assignment of 170 KTS. We slowed and configured to flaps 10 degrees for the speed of 170 KTS. Reaching a speed of 170 KTS; the pitch seemed unusually high and the aircraft seemed to be vibrating a little. The first officer noted that the trailing edge flaps were split with the left side indicating 2 degrees and the right side indicating 10 degrees. I increased the speed to 190 KTS and asked the first officer to advise ATC of the speed we would need and also that we needed some time to work a system problem. We ran the flaps asymmetrical irregular procedure and per the procedure we were able to get the flaps both at 2 degrees. Per the procedure; we tried again to extend the flaps to a higher setting. Again they split and we observed a rolling motion. So; we ran the procedure once again to get the flaps both back to 2 degrees. I contacted dispatch and maintenance control and informed them of our flap problem. Maintenance control confirmed we had worked through the irregular procedure and dispatch was able to provide our landing and performance information. I informed them that we would not be declaring an emergency. I contacted the purser and informed her of the flap anomaly that we had and explained that we were expecting no problems with our approach and landing; just a faster speed. I also made a PA announcement letting the passenger know why we were taking a little longer arriving. I explained that we had taken care of a system anomaly and we would be arriving safely in about 10 minutes; and that our approach speed would be slightly faster than normal; but that we were landing on a 2.5 mile runway so it would not be an issue or cause for concern. I briefed our plan for a flaps 2 degree landing and the first officer informed approach we were ready to return to the field and that we would not require assistance/emergency vehicles on the ground; but that our approach speed would be about 170 KTS and we would like full length available for landing. The approach and landing were uneventful. We taxied the plane to gate and turned the airplane over to maintenance.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 flight crew reports flap asymmetry during approach. After attempts to remedy the situation fail; a flaps 2 approach and landing ensue.

Narrative: While being vectored to land; we were given a speed assignment of 170 KTS. We slowed and configured to flaps 10 degrees for the speed of 170 KTS. Reaching a speed of 170 KTS; the pitch seemed unusually high and the aircraft seemed to be vibrating a little. The First Officer noted that the trailing edge flaps were split with the left side indicating 2 degrees and the right side indicating 10 degrees. I increased the speed to 190 KTS and asked the First Officer to advise ATC of the speed we would need and also that we needed some time to work a system problem. We ran the Flaps Asymmetrical Irregular procedure and per the procedure we were able to get the flaps both at 2 degrees. Per the procedure; we tried again to extend the flaps to a higher setting. Again they split and we observed a rolling motion. So; we ran the procedure once again to get the flaps both back to 2 degrees. I contacted Dispatch and Maintenance Control and informed them of our flap problem. Maintenance Control confirmed we had worked through the irregular procedure and Dispatch was able to provide our landing and performance information. I informed them that we would not be declaring an emergency. I contacted the Purser and informed her of the flap anomaly that we had and explained that we were expecting no problems with our approach and landing; just a faster speed. I also made a PA announcement letting the passenger know why we were taking a little longer arriving. I explained that we had taken care of a system anomaly and we would be arriving safely in about 10 minutes; and that our approach speed would be slightly faster than normal; but that we were landing on a 2.5 mile runway so it would not be an issue or cause for concern. I briefed our plan for a flaps 2 degree landing and the First Officer informed approach we were ready to return to the field and that we would not require assistance/emergency vehicles on the ground; but that our approach speed would be about 170 KTS and we would like full length available for landing. The approach and landing were uneventful. We taxied the plane to gate and turned the airplane over to maintenance.

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.