Date: 201303
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Aircraft: B737-800
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Flight phase: Initial Approach
Airspace: Class E ZZZ
ATC / advisory: TRACON ZZZ
Aircraft component: Flap/Slat Control System
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; Captain
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Second reporter function: First Officer; Pilot Flying
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: On downwind around 5;000 FT speed 230 KIAS; the First Officer (Operating Experience Trainee) called speed below 240 flaps 1. I verified and selected flaps 1. LE FLAPS TRANSIT amber light came on. Flap position needles went to halfway between UP and 1 with needles split one needle width. I took over flying the airplane and communicating with ATC. I declared an emergency with ATC. I then directed the First Officer to get the QRH out. As we started to look at the procedure for LE FLAPS TRANSIT the light went out; and green LE FLAPS EXT came on. Flap needles still stuck. Overhead lights indicated all leading edge devices deployed. With split flap needles I performed Trailing Edge Flap Asymmetry procedure. Also trailing edge flaps up landing. Performance numbers supported landing on the 12;000 FT long runway. We were diverted due to weather; and landed with 4;800 LBS of fuel. Landing was uneventful. The fire trucks met us mid field and followed us to the pad. We were parked off gate due to other diverts occupying a few gates. Maintenance did an operational check and a byte check on the flaps; and after consulting with Maintenance Control signed the airplane off and we departed without any further events.


Second narrative: I was the pilot flying on the first leg of my third Operating Experience (OE) trip and we were a weather divert on approach with approximately 5;000 LBS of fuel. At 5;000 FT and below 240 KTS I called for flaps 1. The Captain verified the airspeed and positioned the flap lever to flaps 1. I noticed the LE FLAPS TRANSIT amber light on and a split flap indicator. The Captain then took control of the aircraft and communication with ATC while I pulled out the QRH. The Captain declared an emergency with ATC while I opened the QRH for the LE FLAPS TRANSIT procedure. The LE FLAPS TRANSIT light subsequently went out and the LE FLAPS EXT came on. I checked the overhead lights and they indicated the Leading Edge (LE) devices were deployed. The flap needles were still split. I used the QRH for the Trailing Edge Flap Asymmetry procedure. We then planned on a trailing edge flaps up landing on the 12;000 FT long runway. After the landing the fire trucks followed us to the pad away from the terminal with another weather divert aircraft. Maintenance came out and did an operational check on the aircraft. After the maintenance check and refueling we continued to destination without any additional issues.


Synopsis: B737-800 flight crew experiences a LE FLAPS TRANSIT amber light on and a split flap indicator when flaps 1 is selected during approach. While consulting the QRH the LE FLAPS TRANSIT light extinguishes resulting in approach and landing with LE flaps extended and TE flaps up. Fuel was a consideration as the flight had diverted for weather.