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An eastbound transatlantic flight returned to their departure airport when the center fuel tank was noted to be transferring fuel to the left main tank and was in turn being vented overboard. The return was initiated prior to entering ETOPS airspace.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 985141 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201112 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | CZQM.ARTCC |
| State Reference | FO |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Commercial Fixed Wing |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Fuel Distribution System |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Not Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 115 Flight Crew Total 10000 Flight Crew Type 4220 |
| Person 2 | |
| Function | Captain Pilot Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 125 Flight Crew Total 27000 Flight Crew Type 4610 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical |
Narrative:
One hour into the flight; the fuel imbalance EICAS message annunciated. Upon assessing the reason for the message and running the checklist; we saw that the left main tank quantity was 68.2 versus the right at 65.1. Our flight manual says that the max level should be 67.9 depending on fuel density. The checklist was followed exactly; but it does not address the imbalance situation while center tank fuel remains. Fuel in the left tank eventually vented overboard and continued to overfill. After conferring with maintenance control and dispatch; we decided to return to [departure airport] rather than enter ETOPS airspace. We dumped 45;000 pounds of fuel and landed 30;000 pounds overweight. All checklists for dumping and overweight landing were followed and the aircraft landed without incident.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: An eastbound transatlantic flight returned to their departure airport when the center fuel tank was noted to be transferring fuel to the left main tank and was in turn being vented overboard. The return was initiated prior to entering ETOPS airspace.
Narrative: One hour into the flight; the FUEL IMBALANCE EICAS message annunciated. Upon assessing the reason for the message and running the checklist; we saw that the Left Main Tank quantity was 68.2 versus the right at 65.1. Our Flight Manual says that the max level should be 67.9 depending on fuel density. The checklist was followed exactly; but it does not address the imbalance situation while Center Tank fuel remains. Fuel in the left tank eventually vented overboard and continued to overfill. After conferring with Maintenance Control and Dispatch; we decided to return to [departure airport] rather than enter ETOPS airspace. We dumped 45;000 LBS of fuel and landed 30;000 LBS overweight. All checklists for dumping and overweight landing were followed and the aircraft landed without incident.
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.