DHC200 captain experiences a fuel leak during climbout via the fuel gauge and visually from the left...

Attributes
ACN	1056692
Time
Date	201212
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Dash 8-200
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Climb
Component
Aircraft Component	Fuel Tank
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 80 Flight Crew Total 5000
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue

Narrative:

On climbout; I noticed that the number 1 fuel gauge was decreasing rapidly more than the number 2 fuel gauge. I looked out my side window and noticed fuel leaking out of the naca vents; aileron hinge; and outer flap hinge. I immediately contacted ATC and requested a return to the field for a fuel leak; and also advised the flight attendant that we had a fuel leak and that we were returning and to prepare the cabin for a normal landing. At this time ATC cleared us for a visual approach and we executed the before landing checklist and we were given a clearance shortly after to land. We landed without incident and taxied to the gate and immediately upon shut down of the engines we executed an expedited deplaning of the passengers. No emergency was declared.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: DHC200 Captain experiences a fuel leak during climbout via the fuel gauge and visually from the left wing. Flight returns to departure airport for an uneventful landing and taxi to the gate.

Narrative: On climbout; I noticed that the Number 1 fuel gauge was decreasing rapidly more than the Number 2 fuel gauge. I looked out my side window and noticed fuel leaking out of the NACA vents; aileron hinge; and outer flap hinge. I immediately contacted ATC and requested a return to the field for a fuel leak; and also advised the Flight Attendant that we had a fuel leak and that we were returning and to prepare the cabin for a normal landing. At this time ATC cleared us for a visual approach and we executed the Before Landing Checklist and we were given a clearance shortly after to land. We landed without incident and taxied to the gate and immediately upon shut down of the engines we executed an expedited deplaning of the passengers. No emergency was declared.

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.

DHC200 captain experiences a fuel leak during climbout via the fuel gauge and visually from the left wing. Flight returns to departure airport for an uneventful landing and taxi to the gate.