B737 flight crew was dispatched with MEL 27-04C for overhead panel flap/slat indicator and successfu...

Attributes
ACN	888392
Time
Date	201005
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B737-400
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Component
Aircraft Component	Flap/Slat Indication
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Person 2
Function	First Officer Pilot Flying Inspector
Qualification	Flight Crew Flight Engineer Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine Maintenance Powerplant Maintenance Airframe
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 60 Flight Crew Total 19000 Flight Crew Type 7000
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Deviation - Procedural MEL

Narrative:

On approach selected flaps 5 and got le flap transit light forward panel. Executed go around. Ran QRH procedures landed longest runway flaps 15. [We] declared an emergency. [I] advised passengers and flight attendants that landing would be normal just a little faster. [We] taxi to gate; called dispatch and maintenance control.why the event occurred had several factors. We had MEL 27-04C. We had a placard on the overhead panel flap/slat indicator. No sticker on forward panel led transit lights. I read MEL but remember 27-04a. Without sticker on forward panel I led myself to conclude it was different problem on same system. Also 4 legs we never got led transit light forward panel it was always green. I missed 27-04c and read a while deciding what to do. I wish I had taken more time and got a phone patch to maintenance control. Fuel was on my mind. We worked very well as a crew. I do not feel embarrassed at all. My first officer is an ap and aircraft inspector. Of course this happened at 8 hours flying the end of the fifth leg. I do not feel fatigue was a factor. In summary next morning I contacted maintenance control and asked what stickers should be on aircraft. He informed me that a MEL sticker should be on overhead and also forward panel for MEL 27-04c. I complied and attached a sticker to forward panel. This was to prevent next crew from being led down same path. All checklists were done book perfect and use of ATC was very good. It was an event that was a non-event. Make sure MEL stickers are in place. Review MEL's with dispatch that are confusing or do not make sense.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 Flight Crew was dispatched with MEL 27-04C for overhead panel flap/slat indicator and successfully completed 4 legs of flying. On fifth landing; LE transit light on forward panel remained illuminated; leading crew to QRH procedures and Flaps 15 landing after declaring an emergency.

Narrative: On approach selected Flaps 5 and got LE Flap Transit light forward panel. Executed go around. Ran QRH procedures landed longest runway Flaps 15. [We] declared an emergency. [I] advised passengers and flight attendants that landing would be normal just a little faster. [We] taxi to gate; called Dispatch and Maintenance Control.Why the event occurred had several factors. We had MEL 27-04C. We had a placard on the overhead panel flap/slat indicator. No sticker on forward panel LED Transit lights. I read MEL but remember 27-04a. Without sticker on Forward Panel I led myself to conclude it was different problem on same system. Also 4 legs we never got LED Transit Light forward panel it was always green. I missed 27-04c and read a while deciding what to do. I wish I had taken more time and got a phone patch to Maintenance Control. Fuel was on my mind. We worked very well as a crew. I do not feel embarrassed at all. My First Officer is an AP and Aircraft Inspector. Of course this happened at 8 hours flying the end of the fifth leg. I do not feel fatigue was a factor. In summary next morning I contacted Maintenance Control and asked what stickers should be on aircraft. He informed me that a MEL Sticker should be on overhead and also forward panel for MEL 27-04c. I complied and attached a sticker to forward panel. This was to prevent next crew from being led down same path. All checklists were done book perfect and use of ATC was very good. It was an event that was a non-event. Make sure MEL stickers are in place. Review MEL's with Dispatch that are confusing or do not make sense.

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.

B737 flight crew was dispatched with MEL 27-04C for overhead panel flap/slat indicator and successfully completed 4 legs of flying. On fifth landing; le transit light on forward panel remained illuminated; leading crew to QRH procedures and flaps 15 landing after declaring an emergency.