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An MD11 returned to the departure airport due to failed fuel boost pumps.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 871233 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201001 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0001-0600 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Night |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | MD-11 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Climb |
| Route In Use | Vectors |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Fuel Booster Pump |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Captain Pilot Flying |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 67 Flight Crew Total 21600 Flight Crew Type 1705 |
| Person 2 | |
| Function | First Officer Pilot Not Flying |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 75 Flight Crew Total 5000 Flight Crew Type 300 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical |
Narrative:
The fuel tank 1 pump aft was deferred after starting the # 1 engine prior to the flight leg. After a return to the gate and having maintenance defer the tank 1 aft pump; we blocked out again. Passing through 6;000' the level 1 tank 1 pumps off ead (engine and alert display) alert came on. We confirmed that the tank 1 forward pump was inoperative on the fuel page. It stayed inoperative for approximately two minutes. We requested to level off at 9;000'. I suspected a more serious problem...fuel contamination; since it involved both pumps in tank 1. In the interest of safety; we did not perform the aom procedure for the level 1 tank 1 pumps off procedure and returned immediately to the departure airport. The copilot contacted the company and requested a return authorization to change destination back to ZZZ. The dispatcher concurred and advised it would be sent through the ACARS. In the mean time; we started getting vectors to the runway. After a couple of minutes; we were within 8 miles of the outer marker. Within a couple of miles from the outer marker; I instructed the first officer to declare an emergency since we didn't have the authorization in hand. The authorization finally came through as we were passing the outer marker. We made an uneventful landing.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: An MD11 returned to the departure airport due to failed fuel boost pumps.
Narrative: The Fuel Tank 1 Pump Aft was deferred after starting the # 1 engine prior to the flight leg. After a return to the gate and having Maintenance defer the Tank 1 Aft Pump; we blocked out again. Passing through 6;000' the Level 1 Tank 1 Pumps Off EAD (Engine and Alert Display) alert came on. We confirmed that the tank 1 forward pump was inoperative on the Fuel Page. It stayed inoperative for approximately two minutes. We requested to level off at 9;000'. I suspected a more serious problem...fuel contamination; since it involved both pumps in tank 1. In the interest of safety; we did not perform the AOM Procedure for the Level 1 Tank 1 Pumps OFF procedure and returned immediately to the departure airport. The copilot contacted the Company and requested a return authorization to change destination back to ZZZ. The Dispatcher concurred and advised it would be sent through the ACARS. In the mean time; we started getting vectors to the runway. After a couple of minutes; we were within 8 miles of the Outer Marker. Within a couple of miles from the outer marker; I instructed the First Officer to declare an emergency since we didn't have the authorization in hand. The authorization finally came through as we were passing the outer marker. We made an uneventful landing.
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.