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B737 flight crew receives a fuel imbalance indication at FL390 and discovers that fuel is being used from the right tank only. The crossfeed valve is found to be inoperative with the circuit breaker tripped and the crew elects to divert to a suitable airport.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1007417 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201204 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0001-0600 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.ARTCC |
| State Reference | US |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | B737-700 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Fuel Crossfeed |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Captain Pilot Not Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Person 2 | |
| Function | First Officer Pilot Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue |
Narrative:
At approximately 10-15 minutes after level off at FL390 an imbal amber indication was noticed on the #2 main fuel tank. Fuel quantity indication for #1 gauge read 7.11 fuel indication on #2 gauge read 5.9. The #2 quantity was dropping rapidly and the #1 gauge was showing no fuel burn at all. The appropriate checklists were completed and determine that there was no fuel leak; however; when the imbalance was addressed it was found that the crossfeed valve was inoperative due to no blue light indications. It was subsequently determined that the crossfeed circuit breaker had popped. Since access to the fuel in #1 tank was in question; it was felt to be the safest course of action to divert the aircraft. An amended release was acquired from dispatch; an emergency was declared and the aircraft was cleared and steered direct. An uneventful descent; approach; and landing was made with an imbalance in fuel tanks of approximately 1;600 pounds on touch down.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: B737 flight crew receives a fuel imbalance indication at FL390 and discovers that fuel is being used from the right tank only. The crossfeed valve is found to be inoperative with the circuit breaker tripped and the crew elects to divert to a suitable airport.
Narrative: At approximately 10-15 minutes after level off at FL390 an IMBAL amber indication was noticed on the #2 main fuel tank. Fuel quantity indication for #1 gauge read 7.11 fuel indication on #2 gauge read 5.9. The #2 quantity was dropping rapidly and the #1 gauge was showing no fuel burn at all. The appropriate checklists were completed and determine that there was no fuel leak; however; when the imbalance was addressed it was found that the crossfeed valve was inoperative due to no blue light indications. It was subsequently determined that the crossfeed circuit breaker had popped. Since access to the fuel in #1 tank was in question; it was felt to be the safest course of action to divert the aircraft. An amended release was acquired from Dispatch; an emergency was declared and the aircraft was cleared and steered direct. An uneventful descent; approach; and landing was made with an imbalance in fuel tanks of approximately 1;600 LBS on touch down.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 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.