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B737 captain reported fuel distribution system malfunction which ultimately self-corrected.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1612601 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201901 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.ARTCC |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | B737-800 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Fuel Distribution System |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Not Flying Captain |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Multiengine |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 443 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue |
Narrative:
Flight crew arrived at cruising altitude of FL370. We immediately notice a fuel imbalance. As captain; I proceeded with the fuel cross feed procedure to no avail. The left tank continued to burn fuel at a much higher rate than the right tank. We got an amber fuel imbalance caution. I called for the fuel imbalance QRH procedure. We noticed after about midway through the procedure the fuel levels stabilized and began to correctly balance. We then finished the QRH procedure and pressed on towards ZZZ. Upon arrival in ZZZ; I immediately called dispatch to arrange a three-way call with maintenance. Manager on call sent a maintenance officer to the aircraft to conduct a further inspection. As the flight was in smooth air continuously and the imbalance was less than 3000 pounds; maintenance signed off and returned the aircraft back into service. The reason for this [report] is 1) the fuel imbalance exceeded the limitation of 1000 pound imbalance (our imbalance reached 1800 pounds before it corrected itself with the cross feed procedure activated) and 2) that this; being the first flight of the day for this aircraft and temperatures close to freezing; maintenance suspected a possible stuck valve due to the frigid environment.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: B737 Captain reported fuel distribution system malfunction which ultimately self-corrected.
Narrative: Flight crew arrived at cruising altitude of FL370. We immediately notice a fuel imbalance. As Captain; I proceeded with the fuel cross feed procedure to no avail. The left tank continued to burn fuel at a much higher rate than the right tank. We got an amber Fuel Imbalance Caution. I called for the Fuel Imbalance QRH procedure. We noticed after about midway through the procedure the fuel levels stabilized and began to correctly balance. We then finished the QRH procedure and pressed on towards ZZZ. Upon arrival in ZZZ; I immediately called Dispatch to arrange a three-way call with Maintenance. Manager on Call sent a Maintenance Officer to the aircraft to conduct a further inspection. As the flight was in smooth air continuously and the imbalance was less than 3000 pounds; Maintenance signed off and returned the aircraft back into service. The reason for this [report] is 1) the fuel imbalance exceeded the limitation of 1000 pound imbalance (our imbalance reached 1800 pounds before it corrected itself with the cross feed procedure activated) and 2) that this; being the first flight of the day for this aircraft and temperatures close to freezing; Maintenance suspected a possible stuck valve due to the frigid environment.
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.