Fuel Imbalance Alert During Descent of Embraer E135

Casualties unknown • Katowice Pyrzowice (EPKT), PL

A flight crew operating an Embraer E135 experienced fuel low-level and wing imbalance warnings during descent into Katowice-Pyrzowice.

What happened

On November 30, 2015, an Embraer E135 was descending from flight level 410 toward Katowice-Pyrzowice Airport (EPKT). While passing through approximately flight level 380, the crew observed MASTER WARNING and MASTER CAUTION alerts on the cockpit displays. The Engine Crew Alerting System (ECAS) displayed messages indicating both a fuel low level and a wing fuel imbalance.

During the descent, the fuel quantity indicator for the right wing showed a rapid decrease in fuel volume, eventually displaying a value of 0 kg. Despite these indications, the engine operating parameters remained within normal limits. The crew followed the appropriate emergency checklists and requested priority landing. The aircraft landed at the destination without further incident.

The investigation

The investigation, conducted by the operator's internal commission, focused on identifying the source of the erroneous fuel readings. Technical inspection of the aircraft revealed that the issue was not caused by an actual loss of fuel, but rather by a hardware failure. The investigation established that there was damage to wiring harness P/N 080-294-001, which is responsible for transmitting fuel quantity data from the right wing tank to the cockpit displays.

Probable cause

The incident was caused by damage to wiring harness P/N 080-294-001, which resulted in erroneous fuel quantity readings.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2015-11-30 Embraer E135 accident near Katowice Pyrzowice (EPKT), PL?

A flight crew operating an Embraer E135 experienced fuel low-level and wing imbalance warnings during descent into Katowice-Pyrzowice.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2015-11-30 involved a Embraer E135, at Katowice Pyrzowice (EPKT), PL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The incident was caused by damage to wiring harness P/N 080-294-001, which resulted in erroneous fuel quantity readings.

Investigation report by the Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accidents Investigation (PKBWL). Original record: https://pkbwl.gov.pl/raporty/2015-2537/. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the Panstwowa Komisja Badania Wypadkow Lotniczych (PKBWL), Poland.

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