Narrative:

This aircraft is the second aircraft that captain experienced fuel problems in three days. The previous flight was xx august 2009 from foreign destination to a domestic base. The first officer also mentioned to the captain that he too experienced a similar fuel problem about a month back. Captain felt it important enough to call via satellite phone in flight to discuss the issue; as we cannot afford another engine flame out due to fuel issues on the 767 fleet. Much to the amazement of the flight crew; the company advised the captain that in the year 2001; almost eight (8) years ago the FAA sent out an aircraft directive (ad) number 2001-15-08; under service tip MM 28-11-94; P 100A for pmtfc which is premature main tank fuel consumption. This is in reference to center override pumps with cast diffusers. If training department sent out a crew bulletin about this; none of us could recall such a bulletin. Captain will outline what transpired on both flights on different aircraft within a three (3) day period. It was observed in cruise with center and main tanks with fuel and all pumps operating that the right tank was burning down fuel with the center tank pump operating. After careful trouble shooting and consulting the flight manual; it was determined that the right forward main tank was over powering the right center tank fuel pump. Captain after confirmation of the first officer shut off the right main tank fuel pump; this stopped further use of right main tank fuel. This exact same scenario occurred on both flights within three days on different aircraft. Captain sent many maintenance reports on both flights with details to maintenance. Upon verbal communication and concerns addressed by the captain the maintenance representative sent an ACARS message stating that he advised maintenance technical specialists and they would conference chapter 28; fuel engineer and boeing in on this issue due to the captain's concern that; if in the event the 'fuel configuration' light failed to illuminate and the pilots did not look at each individual fuel gauge every 30 minutes an engine flame out could occur. Captain feels this issue is important enough; after an eight (8) year ad that air carrier engineering should work diligently with boeing to rectify this issue; before we flame out an engine on an ETOPS flight. The training department should also be involved to immediately advice all 767 pilots of this ad; so the pilots can commence looking at each individual fuel gauge at least every 30 minutes and check fuel scores in cross reference to the progress page two (2); fuel consumption page on the FMC.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: The right wing forward fuel tank pump overrode the operating center fuel tank pumps preventing center tank fuel from being used.

Narrative: This aircraft is the second aircraft that Captain experienced fuel problems in three days. The previous flight was XX August 2009 from foreign destination to a domestic base. The First Officer also mentioned to the Captain that he too experienced a similar fuel problem about a month back. Captain felt it important enough to call via Satellite phone in flight to discuss the issue; as we cannot afford another engine flame out due to fuel issues on the 767 fleet. Much to the amazement of the flight crew; the Company advised the Captain that in the year 2001; almost eight (8) years ago the FAA sent out an aircraft directive (AD) number 2001-15-08; under service tip MM 28-11-94; P 100A for PMTFC which is premature main tank fuel consumption. This is in reference to center override pumps with cast diffusers. If training department sent out a crew bulletin about this; none of us could recall such a bulletin. Captain will outline what transpired on both flights on different aircraft within a three (3) day period. It was observed in cruise with center and main tanks with fuel and all pumps operating that the right tank was burning down fuel with the center tank pump operating. After careful trouble shooting and consulting the flight manual; it was determined that the right forward main tank was over powering the right center tank fuel pump. Captain after confirmation of the First Officer shut off the right main tank fuel pump; this stopped further use of right main tank fuel. This exact same scenario occurred on both flights within three days on different aircraft. Captain sent many maintenance reports on both flights with details to maintenance. Upon verbal communication and concerns addressed by the Captain the maintenance representative sent an ACARS message stating that he advised Maintenance Technical Specialists and they would conference Chapter 28; Fuel Engineer and Boeing in on this issue due to the Captain's concern that; if in the event the 'FUEL CONFIG' light failed to illuminate and the pilots did not look at each individual fuel gauge every 30 minutes an engine flame out could occur. Captain feels this issue is important enough; after an eight (8) year AD that air carrier engineering should work diligently with Boeing to rectify this issue; before we flame out an engine on an ETOPS flight. The training department should also be involved to immediately advice all 767 pilots of this AD; so the pilots can commence looking at each individual fuel gauge at least every 30 minutes and check fuel scores in cross reference to the progress page two (2); fuel consumption page on the FMC.

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.