A B767-300 flight crew experienced EICAS message 'le flap aymmetrical.' they ran the procedure; coor...

Narrative:

On climbout while retracting flaps; a 'left slat asymmetrical EICAS' message and 'leading edge flap' light illuminated. We maintained configuration and leveled at 10;000 ft getting vectors from ATC to stay out of turbulence and away from terrain. Accomplished appropriate checklists to no avail while I flew and first officer read and did procedures. I gave first officer aircraft and contacted maintenance control and dispatch. Maintenance knew of previous write-up and suggested going to alternate flap to retract flaps and slats then check visually to see position. They appeared to be up; but 'leading edge slat asymmetrical' was still displayed on EICAS. Thought of continuing to destination; but could not fight my safety of flight consideration and decided to return to ZZZ. Extension of flaps and slats normal to position 20 degrees by checklist but 'trailing edge' light and 'leading edge asymmetrical' remained on. Landing uneventful. ATC; first officer; dispatch; maintenance control; and supervisors at ZZZ are to be commended for their help and professionalism in aiding to make this a non event. Supplemental information from acn 826238: with maintenance direction; the leading edge selector was placed to 'alternate' and alternate selector to 'up.' slats indicated up; however; the EICAS and 'asymmetrical' light remained illuminated. The 'leading edge asymmetrical' light and EICAS remained on for the remainder of the approach and landing. After landing; the flaps were retracted and indicated stuck between flaps 1-5 degrees.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A B767-300 flight crew experienced EICAS message 'LE FLAP AYMMETRICAL.' They ran the procedure; coordinated with Dispatch and Maintenance; and returned to departure airport for a flaps 20 approach and landing.

Narrative: On climbout while retracting flaps; a 'Left Slat Asymmetrical EICAS' message and 'Leading Edge Flap' light illuminated. We maintained configuration and leveled at 10;000 FT getting vectors from ATC to stay out of turbulence and away from terrain. Accomplished appropriate checklists to no avail while I flew and First Officer read and did procedures. I gave First Officer aircraft and contacted Maintenance Control and Dispatch. Maintenance knew of previous write-up and suggested going to alternate flap to retract flaps and slats then check visually to see position. They appeared to be up; but 'Leading Edge Slat Asymmetrical' was still displayed on EICAS. Thought of continuing to destination; but could not fight my safety of flight consideration and decided to return to ZZZ. Extension of flaps and slats normal to position 20 degrees by checklist but 'Trailing Edge' light and 'Leading Edge Asymmetrical' remained on. Landing uneventful. ATC; First Officer; Dispatch; Maintenance Control; and Supervisors at ZZZ are to be commended for their help and professionalism in aiding to make this a non event. Supplemental information from ACN 826238: With Maintenance direction; the leading edge selector was placed to 'Alternate' and alternate selector to 'up.' Slats indicated up; however; the EICAS and 'Asymmetrical' light remained illuminated. The 'Leading Edge Asymmetrical' light and EICAS remained on for the remainder of the approach and landing. After landing; the flaps were retracted and indicated stuck between flaps 1-5 degrees.

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.

Attributes
ACN	826234
Time
Date	200903
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B767-300 and 300 ER
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Takeoff
Route In Use	Vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Captain
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50 Flight Crew Total 18000 Flight Crew Type 4000
Person 2
Function	First Officer Pilot Not Flying
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 120 Flight Crew Total 10000 Flight Crew Type 2000
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical

A B767-300 flight crew experienced EICAS message 'le flap aymmetrical.' they ran the procedure; coordinated with dispatch and maintenance; and returned to departure airport for a flaps 20 approach and landing.