Narrative:

Aircraft was pushed back and crew cleared to start engines. The before start checklist was called for to 'below the line'. The checklist was complied with and completed. Upon review; the 'fuel pumps-on' was still 'white' and reflecting that the fuel pumps were not sensed 'on'. Upon review; we were in agreement that the checklist looked like it had been properly complied with and that the fuel pumps were indeed on. We were in agreement that this was not a normal situation; and that we didn't want to try to 'force' the checklist to look complete. Company dispatch; maintenance and operations were all brought into the loop. It was agreed upon to tow the aircraft back to the gate to try to make sense as to why the before start checklist was not sensing complete; primarily in regard to why the fuel pumps were not sensed 'on'. The flight was ultimately cancelled as no one; at the time; could determine why the fuel pumps were not apparently working the way we expected them to. I don't know why this event occurred. There has been a discussion; relayed by the captain; that perhaps the fuel load had the center wing level at an amount that perhaps created a situation where the center pumps would appear to be needed by the crew when the 'aircraft' thought they should be off. Having sat through the entire event and witnessed nearly all of the maintenance effort and diagnosis; I am left puzzled with no clear knowledge as to why the checklist didn't reflect completed; enabling us to start the engines and complete the flight.if what was discussed re the fuel level in the center tank being the issue (pumps on v pumps off); then perhaps a caution or highlighted discussion should be given to the crews about this situation developing should be given. Is it or isn't it an issue?

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B787 flight crew reported a gate return due to fuel transfer pump operation impeding completion of the engine start checklist.

Narrative: Aircraft was pushed back and crew cleared to start engines. The Before Start Checklist was called for to 'Below the Line'. The checklist was complied with and completed. Upon review; the 'Fuel Pumps-On' was still 'white' and reflecting that the fuel pumps were not sensed 'on'. Upon review; we were in agreement that the checklist looked like it had been properly complied with and that the fuel pumps were indeed on. We were in agreement that this was not a normal situation; and that we didn't want to try to 'force' the checklist to look complete. Company Dispatch; Maintenance and Operations were all brought into the loop. It was agreed upon to tow the aircraft back to the gate to try to make sense as to why the Before Start Checklist was not sensing complete; primarily in regard to why the fuel pumps were not sensed 'on'. The flight was ultimately cancelled as no one; at the time; could determine why the fuel pumps were not apparently working the way we expected them to. I don't know why this event occurred. There has been a discussion; relayed by the Captain; that perhaps the fuel load had the center wing level at an amount that perhaps created a situation where the Center Pumps would appear to be needed by the crew when the 'aircraft' thought they should be off. Having sat through the entire event and witnessed nearly all of the Maintenance effort and diagnosis; I am left puzzled with no clear knowledge as to why the checklist didn't reflect completed; enabling us to start the engines and complete the flight.If what was discussed re the fuel level in the center tank being the issue (pumps on v pumps off); then perhaps a caution or highlighted discussion should be given to the crews about this situation developing should be given. Is it or isn't it an issue?

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.