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A B717-200 returned to the departure airport due to fuel imbalance and flight control vibration issues. Discovered right overwing fuel cap was missing.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 853145 |
| Time | |
| Date | 200909 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0601-1200 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | B717 (Formerly MD-95) |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Climb |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Aeroplane Flight Control |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | First Officer Pilot Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical |
Narrative:
Aircraft was properly configured for taxi and takeoff. During climbout following gear/flap retraction I felt vibration in the control yoke. After checking aircraft cleaned up; we attempted to troubleshoot the problem. Ead alert revealed a fuel imbalance of approximately 1600-1700 pounds between right/left fuel tanks. Fuel levels between tanks appeared to continuously vary from 300 to 700 pounds differential through remainder of flight. Captain began crossfeeding operations to balance tanks as I continued climbout. Flight control vibration continued and appeared to increase in intensity. I recommended we return to field. Captain contacted ATC for return and we were vectored onto downwind for landing. No emergency declared nor deemed warranted and burned down fuel to below maximum landing weight. Accomplished all normal checklists and performed normal; uneventful approach and landing. Taxied to assigned gate. At the gate; a passenger reported fuel was streaming from the top of the right wing. Maintenance said the overwing fuel cap was missing.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: A B717-200 returned to the departure airport due to fuel imbalance and flight control vibration issues. Discovered right overwing fuel cap was missing.
Narrative: Aircraft was properly configured for taxi and takeoff. During climbout following gear/flap retraction I felt vibration in the control yoke. After checking aircraft cleaned up; we attempted to troubleshoot the problem. EAD alert revealed a fuel imbalance of approximately 1600-1700 pounds between right/left fuel tanks. Fuel levels between tanks appeared to continuously vary from 300 to 700 pounds differential through remainder of flight. Captain began crossfeeding operations to balance tanks as I continued climbout. Flight control vibration continued and appeared to increase in intensity. I recommended we return to field. Captain contacted ATC for return and we were vectored onto downwind for landing. No emergency declared nor deemed warranted and burned down fuel to below maximum landing weight. Accomplished all normal checklists and performed normal; uneventful approach and landing. Taxied to assigned gate. At the gate; a passenger reported fuel was streaming from the top of the right wing. Maintenance said the overwing fuel cap was missing.
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.