CRJ700 Captain becomes confused after slats fail caution during approach and; not comprehending the QRH statement to select flaps 45; lands flaps up.
Synopsis
CRJ700 Captain becomes confused after slats fail caution during approach and; not comprehending the QRH statement to select flaps 45; lands flaps up.
Narrative
While we were flying the approach to 35R at DEN; we encountered a Slat Fail message after selecting flaps one. At that point; the Captain directed me to run the QRH for slats fail. The checklist directed me to return the leaver to the flaps zero position and then reposition them to flaps one. After completing this task the message returned. At this time; we decided to continue running the second portion of the checklist. When directed to set the flaps to 45; the Captain was confused at the direction and directed me to not set the flaps to 45. At this time I reread the checklist; fearing I was wrong. Upon determining I was doing the right procedure I called for flaps 45 again; and the Captain stated again that the checklist did not make sense and to not position the flaps to 45 degrees. I again questioned myself and did not position the flaps to 45. At this time questioned in my mind a go around to clarify our confusion; but I did not state my concern. I decided to follow the Captain's direction and continue the approach without flaps. During the confusion we also neglected to finish the before landing checklist which resulted in landing without Thrust Reversers. Upon landing I reviewed the checklist again fearing I had made the wrong decision by not positioning the flaps to 45 and we then realized the flaps were operational.
Second reporter narrative
On approach to Runway 35R at DEN; we got a SLATS FAIL Caution Message on the final vector to the ILS 35R. The QRH check-list was run. I questioned the direction to Flaps 45 because we tried flaps 1 twice previously with out success; per the check-list. I directed ref speed set Flaps 0 plus 5. And committed to a Flaps zero landing. I called for gear down; but failed to call the before landing checklist. We touched down at 160 knots and were about 60;000 #'s. A go around would have allowed more time to better prepare for the landing. Possibly an additional QRH note: Flaps may function despite slat malfunction. And rather than directing only flaps 45; the QRH may direct flaps on schedule :8; 20; 30; 45.
NASA callback
This reporter states that the Captain became confused about what the QRH was attempting to accomplish with the 'flaps 45' statement. He was apparently thinking that this was another attempt to get the slats to move; while in fact it was the final flap setting for landing with the slats up.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.