Narrative:

At top of climb we noticed we had a fuel problem. Initially; we noticed that number 4 main tank was losing fuel; while number 3 main tank was gaining fuel. We were in the inboard tanks to all engines configuration at the time. We initially assumed that I had a problem with the number 4 jettison transfer valve leaking and we cycled it numerous times; but to no avail. We were still losing fuel from number 4 main to number 3 main. When the fuel in number 4 main started going below the standpipe level; we knew we had a different problem. I had cycled number 3 and number 4 crossfeed valves already; so I thought we had a different problem. When cycling the cross feeds; I got the proper in-transit indications that the valves were indeed moving to their proper positions. At no time did I ever have the number 4 main tank boost pump low pressure lights flashing; which would have indicated that there was no fuel pressure behind number 4 engine and that it was being gravity fed. Obviously; I had a different problem. The fuel got down to 0 in number 4 main; which I thought was no problem; since the number 3 and number 4 crossfeed valves were open. The engine then flamed out. We ran the in flight engine shutdown checklist. I then recycled the number 3 and number 4 crossfeed valves one more time; got the proper indications; and suggested we try a restart; and ran the in flight engine start checklist. We did; and the engine restarted. We then continued on our flight to destination. What had occurred was that it was not a migration problem; but a crossfeed problem; even though I was getting the proper indications for its operation. I reiterate that at no time were the number 4 main tank boost pump low pressure lights flashing; indicating to me that there was no positive fuel pressure reaching number 4 engine. We wrote up the number 4 crossfeed valve. What we did not write up was the in flight shutdown; which is not required per our aircraft operating manual; and is not in our QRH. The event occurred because with the indications I was receiving; it was a fuel migration problem; and I was told this aircraft has had a history of this problem. I only realized that it was something else after the fuel quantity went below the standpipe level.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B747 Flight Engineer experiences fuel migration from the Number 4 fuel tank to the Number 3 tank while in the Inboard Tanks To All Engines configuration. When the Number 4 Tank runs dry the Number 4 engine flames out unexpectedly. After recycling the crossfeed valves the engine is successfully restarted.

Narrative: At top of climb we noticed we had a fuel problem. Initially; we noticed that Number 4 Main tank was losing fuel; while Number 3 Main tank was gaining fuel. We were in the Inboard Tanks to All Engines configuration at the time. We initially assumed that I had a problem with the Number 4 Jettison Transfer valve leaking and we cycled it numerous times; but to no avail. We were still losing fuel from Number 4 Main to Number 3 Main. When the fuel in Number 4 main started going below the standpipe level; we knew we had a different problem. I had cycled Number 3 and Number 4 Crossfeed valves already; so I thought we had a different problem. When cycling the cross feeds; I got the proper in-transit indications that the valves were indeed moving to their proper positions. At no time did I ever have the Number 4 Main tank Boost Pump Low Pressure lights flashing; which would have indicated that there was no fuel pressure behind Number 4 engine and that it was being gravity fed. Obviously; I had a different problem. The fuel got down to 0 in Number 4 Main; which I thought was no problem; since the Number 3 and Number 4 Crossfeed Valves were open. The engine then flamed out. We ran the In Flight Engine Shutdown Checklist. I then recycled the Number 3 and Number 4 Crossfeed Valves one more time; got the proper indications; and suggested we try a restart; and ran the In Flight Engine Start Checklist. We did; and the engine restarted. We then continued on our flight to destination. What had occurred was that it was not a migration problem; but a crossfeed problem; even though I was getting the proper indications for its operation. I reiterate that at no time were the Number 4 Main tank Boost Pump Low Pressure lights flashing; indicating to me that there was no positive fuel pressure reaching Number 4 engine. We wrote up the Number 4 Crossfeed Valve. What we did not write up was the in flight shutdown; which is not required per our Aircraft Operating Manual; and is not in our QRH. The event occurred because with the indications I was receiving; it was a fuel migration problem; and I was told this aircraft has had a history of this problem. I only realized that it was something else after the fuel quantity went below the standpipe level.

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.