Narrative:

Just after contacting approach control we got a call from the cabin. The #4 flight attendant informed me that a passenger claimed to see a small fire burning on the trailing edge of the right wing. The flight attendant checked it out and said that he also thought he could see a fire at the end of some type of liquid streaming from the flap area. In the cockpit; we confirmed who was flying the airplane and then declared an emergency with approach control. We got a single frequency approach and vectors to a short final. I briefed the flight attendants on their test items and then prepared them for landing which was imminent due to our rapid approach. We confirmed with approach our plan to stop on the runway and then told the fire chief our situation and that we wanted an inspection of the wing area after we stopped on the runway. We completed the emergency landing checklist; descent checklist and normal landing checklist. The #4 flight attendant kept in contact with us and said that it appeared that there was still liquid streaming from the wing but there no longer appeared to be a fire. We completed a visual approach and landing and stopped the aircraft on the runway at a taxiway intersection to give the fire equipment room to maneuver the aircraft. We kept the flaps at 40 degrees and stowed the spoilers in preparation for an evacuation. We told the fire chief that our brakes were parked and we were prepared for his inspection. I made an immediate PA to the passengers in the cabin telling them that we were having a fluid leak inspected by the airport safety vehicles and to please pay attention to the flight attendants for any additional information while remaining in their seats. While waiting for the arrf inspection we contacted operations to inform them of the situation and to pass on to dispatch our emergency information and to get a mechanic to meet the plane. Aarf found no evidence of fire including using their heat sensors and infrared so we had them follow us as we taxied to the gate. The passengers deplaned and seemed calm and unconcerned. I talked to the passenger who reported the fire and she showed me the suspected location; what she saw and also future contact information; if required. I debriefed the flight attendants on what they saw and passed this all on to the contract mechanic and fire chief. They both then inspected the plane with the flaps extended along with the first officer while I debriefed the airport safety representative and then dispatch over the phone. The inspection revealed no evidence of fire or continued fluid leakage or any other type of aircraft damage. The aircraft had been deiced prior to departure so maintenance suspected it was merely deicing fluid that was trapped in the flap area that leaked out as we deployed our slats. The flight attendants say that it is possible that the angle of the sun through the leaking fluid made it appear to be a fire. Obviously we treated the situation as a real fire; with the information we had; until proven otherwise by the arff inspection. The flight attendants and first officer all did an excellent job of communicating with me and each other and doing a professional job during a short notice and potentially very dangerous situation.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: MD80 Captain is informed during approach by a Flight Attendant that there appears to be a small fire at the trailing edge of the right wing. The crew declares an emergency and lands quickly. No evidence of a fire can be detected by the fire crew after landing but sun light on residual deicing fluid is suspected as causing an optical illusion.

Narrative: Just after contacting Approach Control we got a call from the cabin. The #4 Flight Attendant informed me that a passenger claimed to see a small fire burning on the trailing edge of the right wing. The Flight Attendant checked it out and said that he also thought he could see a fire at the end of some type of liquid streaming from the flap area. In the cockpit; we confirmed who was flying the airplane and then declared an emergency with Approach Control. We got a single frequency approach and vectors to a short final. I briefed the Flight Attendants on their TEST items and then prepared them for landing which was imminent due to our rapid approach. We confirmed with Approach our plan to stop on the runway and then told the fire chief our situation and that we wanted an inspection of the wing area after we stopped on the runway. We completed the Emergency Landing Checklist; Descent Checklist and Normal Landing Checklist. The #4 Flight Attendant kept in contact with us and said that it appeared that there was still liquid streaming from the wing but there no longer appeared to be a fire. We completed a visual approach and landing and stopped the aircraft on the runway at a taxiway intersection to give the fire equipment room to maneuver the aircraft. We kept the flaps at 40 degrees and stowed the spoilers in preparation for an evacuation. We told the fire chief that our brakes were parked and we were prepared for his inspection. I made an immediate PA to the passengers in the cabin telling them that we were having a fluid leak inspected by the airport safety vehicles and to please pay attention to the Flight Attendants for any additional information while remaining in their seats. While waiting for the ARRF inspection we contacted operations to inform them of the situation and to pass on to Dispatch our emergency information and to get a mechanic to meet the plane. AARF found no evidence of fire including using their heat sensors and infrared so we had them follow us as we taxied to the gate. The passengers deplaned and seemed calm and unconcerned. I talked to the passenger who reported the fire and she showed me the suspected location; what she saw and also future contact information; if required. I debriefed the Flight Attendants on what they saw and passed this all on to the contract mechanic and fire chief. They both then inspected the plane with the flaps extended along with the First Officer while I debriefed the airport safety representative and then dispatch over the phone. The inspection revealed no evidence of fire or continued fluid leakage or any other type of aircraft damage. The aircraft had been deiced prior to departure so maintenance suspected it was merely deicing fluid that was trapped in the flap area that leaked out as we deployed our slats. The Flight Attendants say that it is possible that the angle of the sun through the leaking fluid made it appear to be a fire. Obviously we treated the situation as a real fire; with the information we had; until proven otherwise by the ARFF inspection. The Flight Attendants and First Officer all did an excellent job of communicating with me and each other and doing a professional job during a short notice and potentially very dangerous situation.

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.