Narrative:

Flight experienced significant fuel overburn; landing with 11;600 pounds; while planned landing fuel was 18;000 pounds; a 6;400 pound deficit. While approximately 2;000 pounds can be attributed to the normal early descent and fuel inefficient arrivals; we were 4;500 pounds short at top of descent; after 12 hours enroute from zbaa. The overburn was a steady rate throughout the flight. The aircraft was trimmed properly; with no abnormal aileron or rudder trim; and no suspected abnormal parasite drag. It is not a high burner aircraft. There was no indication of fuel leakage; and no imbalance; left and right tanks were within 200 pounds entire flight. The APU was not running. The flight was flown per the flight plan; at econ cost index; and no route deviations. We were within 2 minutes of flight plan time entire route. Dispatch was kept informed of the condition and an abnormal fuel usage report was sent via ACARS. We had adequate fuel for redispatch and continued without incident; since the weather and traffic were not a factor. Since all parameters of the flight were exactly per plan except excessive fuel consumption; and the fuel indications were consistent and balanced entire flight; I could only suspect inaccurate weight data. I requested a supervisor to audit the unloading at the gate. This was accomplished; and I was informed that the loading was per plan; that is; the number of containers/pallets matched the loading plan. This does not confirm however; that the weights were accurate. I have experienced similar; but not as severe overburns on this flight segment on two previous occasions; and one of the first officers on this flight had the same experience two weeks prior in a different aircraft. Dispatch informed me during a post flight phone call; of yet another occurrence one week ago. This seems to me to be a pattern; and one with potential serious safety implications. Using the fuel burn for carrying extra weight charts; our over burn would have implied a 10;465 pound under reporting of weight on the aircraft. Landing with minimum fuel or diverting are the least serious problems resulting from these occurrences. If the aircraft are heavier than reported; engine out performance and structural integrity are obviously the real hazards. I am hesitant to implicate anyone; but unless another reason for repeated over burns can be substantiated; I would suggest an audit of loading procedures in zbaa. I have contacted flight management; dispatch; and operations supervisors with this information.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B777 Captain experienced 4500 LB overburn on a twelve hour flight from ZBAA and suspects that the aircraft was 10500 LBS heavier that reported.

Narrative: Flight experienced significant fuel overburn; landing with 11;600 LBS; while planned landing fuel was 18;000 LBS; a 6;400 LB deficit. While approximately 2;000 LBS can be attributed to the normal early descent and fuel inefficient arrivals; we were 4;500 LBS short at top of descent; after 12 hours enroute from ZBAA. The overburn was a steady rate throughout the flight. The aircraft was trimmed properly; with no abnormal aileron or rudder trim; and no suspected abnormal parasite drag. It is not a high burner aircraft. There was no indication of fuel leakage; and no imbalance; left and right tanks were within 200 LBS entire flight. The APU was NOT running. The flight was flown per the flight plan; at econ cost index; and no route deviations. We were within 2 minutes of flight plan time entire route. Dispatch was kept informed of the condition and an Abnormal Fuel Usage Report was sent via ACARS. We had adequate fuel for Redispatch and continued without incident; since the weather and traffic were not a factor. Since all parameters of the flight were exactly per plan except excessive fuel consumption; and the fuel indications were consistent and balanced entire flight; I could only suspect inaccurate weight data. I requested a supervisor to audit the unloading at the gate. This was accomplished; and I was informed that the loading was per plan; that is; the number of containers/pallets matched the loading plan. This does not confirm however; that the weights were accurate. I have experienced similar; but not as severe overburns on this flight segment on two previous occasions; and one of the First Officers on this flight had the same experience two weeks prior in a different aircraft. Dispatch informed me during a post flight phone call; of yet another occurrence one week ago. This seems to me to be a pattern; and one with potential serious safety implications. Using the Fuel Burn for carrying extra weight charts; our over burn would have implied a 10;465 LB under reporting of weight on the aircraft. Landing with minimum fuel or diverting are the least serious problems resulting from these occurrences. IF the aircraft are heavier than reported; engine out performance and structural integrity are obviously the real hazards. I am hesitant to implicate anyone; but unless another reason for repeated over burns can be substantiated; I would suggest an audit of loading procedures in ZBAA. I have contacted Flight Management; Dispatch; and Operations Supervisors with this information.

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.