A B737-300 passenger reported flashing or sparking when the spoilers deployed after landing. On a su...

Narrative:

During preflight preparation I was notified that a passenger had reported to a flight attendant that there was flashing or possibly sparks out under the left wing when the spoilers had deployed at landing. I notified the captain; and we performed a thorough inspection of the wing; flaps; spoilers and landing lights on the left wing. No evidence of any malfunction; mechanical or electrical was noted on the external inspection or in any cockpit indications. The captain asked a jump seating (company) first officer to sit overwing and look for any indications of a problem on our next leg. The flight was uneventful and no indications of a malfunction were noted. The jump seating first officer reported after we reached the gate that when landing there were sparks and flashing from the left outboard landing light area after the spoilers and thrust reversers deployed. There were no indications noted from the cockpit. Maintenance was notified and did an inspection where they could not determine the cause of the sparks. Maintenance kept the jet for maintenance after the initial inspection. If a crew member or ground personnel gets a report of a possible malfunction; please refer them to flight deck crew or maintenance personnel so they can get a detailed explanation.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A B737-300 passenger reported flashing or sparking when the spoilers deployed after landing. On a subsequent flight a dead heading First Officer reported the same observation so the aircraft was removed from service for a maintenance inspection.

Narrative: During preflight preparation I was notified that a passenger had reported to a Flight Attendant that there was flashing or possibly sparks out under the left wing when the spoilers had deployed at landing. I notified the Captain; and we performed a thorough inspection of the wing; flaps; spoilers and landing lights on the left wing. No evidence of any malfunction; mechanical or electrical was noted on the external inspection or in any cockpit indications. The Captain asked a jump seating (Company) First Officer to sit overwing and look for any indications of a problem on our next leg. The flight was uneventful and no indications of a malfunction were noted. The jump seating First Officer reported after we reached the gate that when landing there were sparks and flashing from the left outboard landing light area after the spoilers and thrust reversers deployed. There were no indications noted from the cockpit. Maintenance was notified and did an inspection where they could not determine the cause of the sparks. Maintenance kept the jet for maintenance after the initial inspection. If a Crew Member or Ground personnel gets a report of a possible malfunction; please refer them to flight deck Crew or Maintenance personnel so they can get a detailed explanation.

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	933041
Time
Date	201102
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	B737-300
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Landing
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Electrical Power
Person 1
Function	First Officer
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 284
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical

A B737-300 passenger reported flashing or sparking when the spoilers deployed after landing. On a subsequent flight a dead heading first officer reported the same observation so the aircraft was removed from service for a maintenance inspection.