Virgin Australia B738 near Coolangatta on Apr 15th 2012, fuel imbalance
Last Update: November 27, 2012 / 17:57:13 GMT/Zulu time
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Apr 15, 2012
Airline
Virgin Australia
Aircraft Registration
VH-VOL
Aircraft Type
Boeing 737-800
ICAO Type Designator
B738
The ATSB reported that the aircraft was climbing out of Coolangatta when the crew noticed that both engines were supplied from the right hand wing tank creating a fuel imbalance between left and right hand tank. The crew executed the fuel leak checklist which confirmed no fuel leak existed. As fuel was available in the center tank, the crew selected the center tank pumps on which stabilized the fuel imbalance. The crew was unable to verify however that fuel off the left hand tank would remain available once the center pumps would be needed to be turned off they decided to divert to Brisbane for a safe landing on runway 19.
The ATSB reported that prior to departure from Coolangatta a delay had occurred requiring extended ground operation of the aircraft. To prevent a fuel imbalance the cross feed valve had been selected open. Prior to departure the cross feed valve was selected closed again in preparation for flight, the indications confirmed the valve had closed.
Prior to the occurrence Boeing had received a number of reports of fuel imbalances occurring during flight as result of the cross feed valve not fully closing due to excessive wear in the valve disk spline with aircraft having accumulated between 22,928 and 27,390 hours in service. The condition was not determined a safety risk because the condition would be indicated to the crew as fuel imbalance prior to the valve deteriorating to a state where it could not be opened. Nonetheless, a service letter had been issued in September 2010 introducing a new valve body assembly recommended to address the crossfeed valve fuel leakage occurrences.
The incident aircraft had accumulated 31,858 hours at the time of the occurrence. Due to the history as described above the cross feed valve was removed from the aircraft and sent for examination, which confirmed wear consistent with a fuel leak through the valve.
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Apr 15, 2012
Airline
Virgin Australia
Aircraft Registration
VH-VOL
Aircraft Type
Boeing 737-800
ICAO Type Designator
B738
This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
Article source
You can read 2 more free articles without a subscription.
Subscribe now and continue reading without any limits!
Read unlimited articles and receive our daily update briefing. Gain better insights into what is happening in commercial aviation safety.
Send tip
Support AeroInside by sending a small tip amount.
Related articles
Fleet type match
Virgin Australia B738 at Adelaide on Apr 11th 2025, insufficient takeoff distance
A Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800, registration VH-VOL performing flight VA-413 from Adelaide,SA to Sydney,NS (Australia), lined up runway 23 via…
Fleet type match
Virgin Australia B738 at Melbourne on Mar 15th 2026, passenger device ignited
A Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800, registration VH-YFU performing flight VA-328 from Brisbane,QL to Melbourne,VI (Australia), was descending towards…
Fleet type match
Virgin Australia B738 at Hobart on Feb 4th 2026, flaps problems
A Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800, registration VH-YFS performing flight VA-1602 from Adelaide,SA to Hobart,TA (Australia), was on final approach to…
Fleet type match
Virgin Australia B738 near Hobart on Jul 21st 2025, fire in cabin
A Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800, registration VH-YFY performing flight VA-1528 from Sydney,NS to Hobart,TA (Australia), had been enroute at FL380…
Virgin Australia B738 at Adelaide on Apr 11th 2025, insufficient takeoff distance
A Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800, registration VH-IJR performing flight VA-222 from Adelaide,SA to Melbourne,VI (Australia), lined up runway 23 via…
Newest articles
Fleet type match
KLM B772 at Amsterdam on Apr 16th 2026, smoke indication
A KLM Boeing 777-200, registration PH-BQF performing flight KL-862 from Tokyo Narita (Japan) to Amsterdam (Netherlands), was on final approach to…
Fleet type match
Jetblue A321 near Chicago on Apr 17th 2026, odour in cabin
A Jetblue Airbus A321-200, registration N945JT performing flight B6-734 from San Francisco,CA to Boston,MA (USA), was enroute at FL350 about 150nm…
Subscribe today
Are you researching aviation incidents? Get access to AeroInside Insights, unlimited read access and receive the daily newsletter.
Pick your plan and subscribePartner
ELITE Simulation Solutions is a leading global provider of Flight Simulation Training Devices, IFR training software as well as flight controls and related services. Find out more.
SafetyScan Pro provides streamlined access to thousands of aviation accident reports. Tailored for your safety management efforts. Book your demo today
AeroInside Blog
Popular aircraft
Airbus A320Boeing 737-800
Boeing 737-800 MAX
Popular airlines
American AirlinesUnited
Delta
Air Canada
Lufthansa
British Airways