B757-200 flight crew receives a status message during climb on an ETOPS flight indicating that the l...

Attributes
ACN	1009214
Time
Date	201205
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZOA.ARTCC
State Reference	CA
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B757-200
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Fuel Quantity-Pressure Indication
Person 1
Function	Pilot Not Flying Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200 Flight Crew Total 23000 Flight Crew Type 3000
Person 2
Function	First Officer Pilot Flying
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 15 Flight Crew Total 11000 Flight Crew Type 1300
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Deviation - Procedural Other / Unknown

Narrative:

During climb to FL360 the left fuel quantity indicator went blank as well as the fuel totalizer. We established communication with dispatch and maintenance. I thought there would be an issue (restriction) for entry into ETOPS airspace however maintenance advised that there were no limitations or MEL restrictions and advised us to continue normal operations. We then perused the QRH regarding fuel issues. There are several checklists that cannot be accomplished without both fuel quantity indicators. For example; fuel configuration; fuel x-feed; fuel pump; low fuel; and fuel leak. How can this type of operation be allowed for extended over water operations? Also of interest is the fuel spar valve checklist. It states: condition: the spar valve is not is not in the commanded position. In-flight no action required/end of checklist. Really! With the engine running in flight this means the fuel spar valve is not fully open; which could result in engine flameout at any time. Is this not worthy of consideration; especially again in an ETOPS operation! I strongly urge a closer and more conservative look should be taken at these issues.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B757-200 flight crew receives a status message during climb on an ETOPS flight indicating that the left fuel quantity fuel gauge has failed. Maintenance is consulted and the crew is informed they may continue on the over water flight. The crew continues; condition; but believes that some non-normal procedures could not be performed in this and that a fuel leak could not be detected.

Narrative: During climb to FL360 the left fuel quantity indicator went blank as well as the fuel totalizer. We established communication with Dispatch and Maintenance. I thought there would be an issue (restriction) for entry into ETOPS airspace however Maintenance advised that there were no limitations or MEL restrictions and advised us to continue normal operations. We then perused the QRH regarding fuel issues. There are several checklists that cannot be accomplished without both fuel quantity indicators. For example; FUEL CONFIG; FUEL X-FEED; FUEL PUMP; LOW FUEL; and FUEL LEAK. How can this type of operation be allowed for extended over water operations? Also of interest is the FUEL SPAR VALVE Checklist. It states: Condition: The spar valve is not is not in the commanded position. In-flight No Action Required/End of Checklist. Really! With the engine running in flight this means the fuel spar valve IS NOT FULLY OPEN; which could result in engine flameout at any time. Is this not worthy of consideration; especially again in an ETOPS operation! I strongly urge a closer and more conservative look should be taken at these issues.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.