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B737 flight crew reported diverting after experiencing a fuel system malfunction resulting in a fuel tank imbalance.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1579278 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201809 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | IMC |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Fuel Quantity-Pressure Indication |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Not Flying First Officer |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Experience | Flight Crew Type 650 |
| Person 2 | |
| Function | Captain Pilot Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Instrument |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200 Flight Crew Type 1127 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue |
Narrative:
In cruise flight; we encountered a potential fuel leak. We were cruising at 36;000 feet. We had been monitoring the fuel against the [planned burn] the entire flight. We had been down very little according to the [planned burn] but we were consistently at the same number. After we crossed some weather; we noticed a large fuel imbalance; approximately 800 pounds (left side low). The captain and I discussed our problem and began to run the fuel imbalance checklist. As we [are] running the checklist; the imbalance became larger than 1;000 pounds and we got the fuel imbalance message. We followed the checklist; including ensuring that the cross feed valve is closed (it was). We monitored the total fuel quantity indication and noted that it was decreasing rapidly. At one point we were down about 2;000 pounds and received a using rsv fuel message. The fuel imbalance checklist led us to the engine fuel leak checklist. We ran the checklist up to the point of engine shut down. We then called [maintenance control]; discussed it with them and [requested priority]. We were entering an area of the [mountains] that had few close; suitable alternates. We diverted to [closest airport].
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: B737 flight crew reported diverting after experiencing a fuel system malfunction resulting in a fuel tank imbalance.
Narrative: In cruise flight; we encountered a potential fuel leak. We were cruising at 36;000 feet. We had been monitoring the fuel against the [planned burn] the entire flight. We had been down very little according to the [planned burn] but we were consistently at the same number. After we crossed some weather; we noticed a large fuel imbalance; approximately 800 pounds (left side low). The captain and I discussed our problem and began to run the Fuel Imbalance Checklist. As we [are] running the checklist; the imbalance became larger than 1;000 pounds and we got the fuel imbalance message. We followed the checklist; including ensuring that the cross feed valve is closed (it was). We monitored the total fuel quantity indication and noted that it was decreasing rapidly. At one point we were down about 2;000 pounds and received a Using RSV Fuel message. The Fuel Imbalance Checklist led us to the Engine Fuel Leak Checklist. We ran the checklist up to the point of engine shut down. We then called [Maintenance Control]; discussed it with them and [requested priority]. We were entering an area of the [mountains] that had few close; suitable alternates. We diverted to [closest airport].
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.