B767-300 and 300 ER
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 68; Flight Crew Total 13000; Flight Crew Type 68
Distraction; Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness; Workload
ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft; Human Factors; Procedure
Just before intercepting the localizer for Runway 34 ZGSZ the aircraft was being configured for landing. When Flaps 5 was selected we got a Leading Edge Slat Asymmetry. We told ZGSZ Approach that we were having some Slat/Flap issues and need radar vectors off the approach to complete checklist and work the problem. It soon became apparent that we were talking off Script. Communication with ZGSZ Approach became very difficult. We declared an emergency and turned off the approach to work the checklist and configure the aircraft for landing. ZGSZ Approach still seemed confused even after the emergency was declared. We hoped just to hear from ZGSZ 'Cleared to land full length available trucks standing by' But they just seemed confused about what we were doing or our intentions. After that we finished running the Leading Edge Slat Asymmetry selected gear down and landed with out event. No over heated breaks or anything. We taxied in leaving flaps at 20 for inspection. Relating factors: Language barrier and understanding foreign controllers will never respond like the US trained controllers that we are use to. Another possible contributing factor could be the heavy rain that delayed our departure. Very heavy rain that may have contaminated sensors that could have given us the indications.
At this time we decided to declare an emergency and have the emergency equipment standing by as a precaution. Once again it took several calls to make ourselves understood; but we believe he finally got the message. We made an uneventful approach and landing and on exiting the runway we noted that there was no sign that Fire and Rescue had been called! Apparently; the Controller still hadn't understood us. This could have been very serious if the problem we experienced was more serious and we had needed emergency services. ATC needs to be better trained to recognize the terms used when declaring an emergency and the responses the crews are expecting when they do so.
When the B767-300 flight crew was confronted with a LEADING EDGE FLAP ASSYMETRY warning as they configured for landing at ZGSZ (Shenzhen; PRC) they encountered significant additional difficulties coordinating their needs with ATC due to their limited facility with the English language. Most prominent was ATC's failure to recognize their declaration of an emergency.