Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 230; Flight Crew Total 13700; Flight Crew Type 6100
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Diverted; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
About 30 minutes into the flight the relief pilot came to the cockpit to advise there was a section of a panel on the left wing that was sticking up in the wind stream. A passenger noticed it first. The Captain called Dispatch and then had Maintenance Control and the Duty Manager on the line (SATCOM). It was agreed by all parties that the safest action would be to divert. There was a concern that the piece might depart the aircraft and hit the tail. The diversion was coordinated with Dispatch and the Duty Manager. We agreed on landing overweight at 345;000 LBS landing performance was received for Dispatch for landing. An emergency was not declared. The flight landed normally and the Fire Department followed the aircraft to the gate.
Approximately 30 minutes after departure; at cruise; Lead Flight Attendant told me; as I was beginning my rest break that a passenger had noticed a panel on the left wing that was raised a few inches into the air stream. I checked the wing surface and reported to the flight deck. The Captain went back to look at the discrepancy; discussed the issue via SATCOM with Dispatch. The decision was made to do a precautionary divert. We also discussed the option of fuel jettison from the center tank; but that would have still resulted in an overweight landing. Dispatch sent runway data for an overweight landing (325;000 approximately). The descent; approach and landing were uneventful and we requested that crash; fire; rescue examine the main gear tires and brakes before continuing to the gate.
B767-300 flight crew is informed by passengers in cruise that part of the left wing near the engine was sticking up into the slip stream in an abnormal fashion. After discussion with Maintenance the crew diverts to a suitable airport. Upon being viewed by Maintenance on the ground the aircraft is taken out of service.