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A B737NG flight crew declared an emergency and returned to their departure airport following receipt of a fuel filter bypass warning. The crew stated they believed the QRH procedure addressing a single filter bypass provided insufficient guidance with respect to continuing their flight when only one engine displayed the condition. A call to the captain requesting justification for his decision was deemed by the captain to have been coercive and intended to intimidate against future decisions which might compromise normal operations.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1101294 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201307 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.ARTCC |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | B737-800 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Climb |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Engine Fuel Filter |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | First Officer Pilot Not Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Person 2 | |
| Function | Captain Pilot Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue |
Narrative:
During final climbout the master caution illuminated with a fuel 'six pack' warning and accompanying fuel filter bypass light engine 2 message. Aircraft was passing fl 340; slightly nose high; wings level with 32;000 pounds fob. Immediate level off executed; the QRH fuel filter bypass procedure was accomplished and an emergency declared with center. An immediate return to our departure airport was issued and executed. Overweight checklist and emergency landing checklist accomplished as well as all required coordination. Captain executed flawless overweight landing at 151;500 pounds less than 100 FPM; 29;300 fob and very soft landing followed by a normal taxi to a gate where the aircraft was removed from service. The fuel filter bypass QRH for one engine is very vague and non-directive. It offers no remedy or [directed] course of action re continued flight or landing. It has a note that you may encounter erratic engine operation or flameout and that is all. With 2 lights it states to land at nearest suitable airport.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: A B737NG flight crew declared an emergency and returned to their departure airport following receipt of a FUEL FILTER BYPASS warning. The crew stated they believed the QRH procedure addressing a single filter bypass provided insufficient guidance with respect to continuing their flight when only one engine displayed the condition. A call to the Captain requesting justification for his decision was deemed by the Captain to have been coercive and intended to intimidate against future decisions which might compromise normal operations.
Narrative: During final climbout the Master Caution illuminated with a fuel 'six pack' warning and accompanying FUEL FILTER BYPASS light ENG 2 message. Aircraft was passing FL 340; slightly nose high; wings level with 32;000 LBS FOB. Immediate level off executed; The QRH Fuel Filter Bypass procedure was accomplished and an emergency declared with Center. An immediate return to our departure airport was issued and executed. Overweight checklist and Emergency Landing checklist accomplished as well as all required coordination. Captain executed flawless overweight landing at 151;500 LBS less than 100 FPM; 29;300 FOB and very soft landing followed by a normal taxi to a gate where the aircraft was removed from service. The Fuel Filter Bypass QRH for one engine is very vague and non-directive. It offers no remedy or [directed] course of action re continued flight or landing. It has a note that you may encounter erratic engine operation or flameout and that is all. With 2 lights it states to land at nearest suitable airport.
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.