B767-300 and 300 ER
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Total 9500; Flight Crew Type 4000
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure; Human Factors; Weather
As I was leaving the cockpit to do my through flight walk around the FO (First Officer) called out to me that the ATIS indicated LLWS. We agreed when requesting performance data to include LLWS. I mentioned that I thought we would probably get a flap 20 setting for takeoff with max thrust and that the airspeed would come up rapidly during takeoff. We were supposed to turn in less than an hour; but we were delayed for an additional hour due to loading delays. At load complete it had been an hour since our original departure brief. After I closed the door and sat down we re-briefed everything with emphasis on the complex special engine out procedure; the delayed rotation speed; and the need for an ARTR (Amended Release To Read) for exceeding ETOW (Estimated Takeoff Weight). There was a lot going on but I felt we had covered everything and were taking the amount of time necessary. I was the pilot flying; departure with winds 070/25G33. After a successful departure; approaching cruise altitude I was mentally reviewing the takeoff and something didn't seem right. I looked at the performance data again and realized we did a flaps 5 takeoff and the data indicated flaps 20. How did we miss this? From reading reports and bulletins I've made an effort to pay close attention to the validity of the data regarding flight number; time stamp; weight; etc. I think I also zeroed in on the delayed rotation speed and the GTOW (Gross Takeoff Weight) exceeding PTOW (Planned Takeoff Weight). Additionally it has been drilled into my habit pattern to ensure flaps are set to 5 instead of 1 due to the reports and bulletins regarding that error. No exceedances occurred during the takeoff. Since upgrading to Captain just under 3 years ago; I have done only one delayed rotation takeoff. I do remember the rapid acceleration and climb that occurred and that was on my mind as I left the cockpit to do my walk around. I meant to discuss this further with my FO when I returned; but the normal distractions of loading; fueling; etc intervened and I forgot. We reviewed the delayed rotation procedure further and I feel the memory of this occurrence will help me from repeating the same mistake again.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
B767 flight crew reported departing with an incorrect flap setting for the aircraft weight.