MD-11
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Troubleshooting; Workload; Training / Qualification; Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft; Human Factors
During descent while extending the slats; we got a 'slat disagree' light. We recycled the flaps; slowed to a much lower speed and reattempted with same results. Requested extended downwind; accomplished the checklist and executed a slats up flaps 28 landing as directed by the checklist. Declared an emergency and flew an ILS with the HUD. Landed with no problems noted. Had no excessive brake heating so we canceled the emergency and taxied to the ramp. After parking did visual inspection saw no damage and tires were normal with no damage to tail skid. No notable problems to report.
Abeam the airport; on descent; the slat disagreement light illuminated at slat extension. No rolling movement with aircraft was noted. Put slats back up; tried extension at slower speeds. Started reviewing red tabs. Informed ATC we needed to extend our downwind. Red tabs dictated a slat ret/flaps 28 degree landing. Reviewed and complied with red tabs. ATC did a good job extending our pattern to the south. We finally had to declare an emergency and accepted vectors back to the runway. A bit difficult relaying a flight control malfunctions to ATC/Tower. Tried to explain aircraft was going to make a faster landing than normal and no other assistance necessary. I believe one other aircraft was in the pattern and they had to do one 360 degree turn. The rest of approach/landing uneventful. Walk around after the flight showed slats stowed and no tail strike. I felt ATC did a good job monitoring our position - keeping us in their airspace. Too much communication would have made things worse.
A MD-11 EICAS alerted SLAT DISAGREE so the crew declared an emergency; completed the QRH; landed uneventfully with slats up; flaps 28 and taxied to parking with no brake overheat.