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Dispatched with the left forward main tank boost pump deferred; a B767-300 diverted to an enroute airport when fuel began to burn prematurely from the right main tank; an anomaly that would require running both engines off the one remaining left main tank boost pump.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 834924 |
| Time | |
| Date | 200905 |
| 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 | B767-300 and 300 ER |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Route In Use | Oceanic |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Fuel Trim System |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | First Officer Pilot Not Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Multiengine |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 210 Flight Crew Total 12000 Flight Crew Type 2700 |
| Person 2 | |
| Function | Pilot Not Flying First Officer |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Flight Engineer Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200 Flight Crew Total 15000 Flight Crew Type 2800 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue |
Narrative:
We were dispatched with left forward fuel boost pump 'inop' and deactivated per MM. Subsequently flight experienced significant premature main right tank fuel burn and main tank imbalance. QRH procedure called for turning off right side boost pumps and feeding both engines from the only remaining left aft fuel pump due to the placarded left forward boost pump. Due to QRH conditional statement captain queried maintenance about premature main fuel tank burn history on this aircraft. It was discovered that the aircraft had a significant history of this problem. Captain elected to divert for repairs prior to oceanic crossing. Concern was continuing to correct premature fuel burn would have meant continuing the flight across the atlantic ocean with both engines feeding from a single boost pump; an unacceptable risk. Emergency was declared and flight 'not in jeopardy' message transmitted to ATC. An amended clearance was requested and received. Flight proceeded to divert airport. Emergency was declared due to anticipated overweight landing. Flight elected to use the longest runway length beyond glideslope into the wind. Landing was made at 330;000 pounds at 200 ft/min sink rate. Arff equipment was requested and employed to check brakes after clearing the runway. It was also discovered that the flight experienced a bird strike of the right engine during approach.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: Dispatched with the left forward main tank boost pump deferred; a B767-300 diverted to an enroute airport when fuel began to burn prematurely from the right main tank; an anomaly that would require running both engines off the one remaining left main tank boost pump.
Narrative: We were dispatched with left forward fuel boost pump 'inop' and deactivated per MM. Subsequently flight experienced significant premature main right tank fuel burn and main tank imbalance. QRH procedure called for turning off right side boost pumps and feeding both engines from the only remaining left aft fuel pump due to the placarded left forward boost pump. Due to QRH conditional statement Captain queried Maintenance about premature main fuel tank burn history on this aircraft. It was discovered that the aircraft had a significant history of this problem. Captain elected to divert for repairs prior to oceanic crossing. Concern was continuing to correct premature fuel burn would have meant continuing the flight across the Atlantic Ocean with both engines feeding from a single boost pump; an unacceptable risk. Emergency was declared and flight 'not in jeopardy' message transmitted to ATC. An amended clearance was requested and received. Flight proceeded to divert airport. Emergency was declared due to anticipated overweight landing. Flight elected to use the longest runway length beyond glideslope into the wind. Landing was made at 330;000 LBS at 200 FT/min sink rate. ARFF equipment was requested and employed to check brakes after clearing the runway. It was also discovered that the flight experienced a bird strike of the right engine during approach.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.