Date: 201507
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: MD-83
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Parked
Aircraft component: Aeroplane Flight Control
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: First Officer; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Distraction; Situational Awareness; Troubleshooting; Confusion
Second reporter function: Captain
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Pre-flight
Result: Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Release Refused / Aircraft Not Accepted; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Company Policy; Procedure
Primary problem: Procedure

Narrative: Up almost completing my walk-around I noticed something different in the LH main gear wheel well. It was a TOWEL wrapped around the flight control cables. It was obvious that it had flown at least one leg like this; the towel was tight wrapped around the cables inside the pulley. I took a pic with my cell phone and immediately conferred with the CA. We both went back and saw it and then made the proper calls to have it looked at. At first the MX personnel stated that he could not free the towel from the cables. I went and told the CA. By then more people had arrived including a  Chief pilot; Mx Supervisor and other mx personnel. 15 minutes later MX told me they were able to finally shake the towel loose and that we were good to go. I walked back up to the cockpit and told the CA; he said we weren't going anywhere; MX had already taken the plane out of service. The Chief pilot said he said he saw no reason why we shouldn't go (this is what the CA told me he said). The CA informed him MX had taken the plane OTS before him. This was NOT a good feeling by me from I what I found; my stomach turned at the thought of what could have happened. I would like to know (based on the pic I included) what exactly these cables control. We ended up getting a newplane; were late; I missed my commute flight home by 10 minutes; but am glad this was caught. Please notify me as what exactly these cables control.Checklist for MX to use anytime a tangible object is inside the wheel well; verification by a second person that nothing has been left behind.


Second narrative: On his exterior preflight; he discovered towels tightly wrapped around flight control cables at the left wing root. There was also a towel draped over the control cables in the wheel well. I entered this in the AML (Aircraft Maintenance Log). I've never seen anything like this before and forwarded 3 photos to the Chief Pilot. I also asked for a Maintenance Supervisor and a Chief Pilot; if near the area; to come out and 'see this'. The towels turned out to be paper towels; but at first appearance before dropping the gear door when maintenance arrived; I thought these were cloth towels.


Synopsis: A MD-80 First Officer discovered towels wrapped around cables in the wheel well which maintenance was able to remove with some difficulty. It was discovered the towels were paper; but the aircraft remained grounded for an inspection.