B737-800 flight crew reported that another airline crew and ATC communicated that their aircraft had a fuel leak from the top of the wing. The flight crew elected to make an air turn back and a precautionary landing.
Synopsis
B737-800 flight crew reported that another airline crew and ATC communicated that their aircraft had a fuel leak from the top of the wing. The flight crew elected to make an air turn back and a precautionary landing.
Narrative
While in the takeoff roll (high speed regime) from Runway XXL we heard a Company crew state on the tower frequency that they noticed a fuel leak from our right wing. Shortly after we rotated Tower also stated that they noticed fuel leaking from our right wing (near the aileron). Engine and fuel instruments were normal. We were handed over to Departure. We requested priority handling; requested vectors and to maintain our initial altitude (4;000 feet MSL). With the autopilot engaged I handled the PF (Pilot Flying) duties along with communications with ATC while CA (Captain) ran the QRH procedure. Due to the nature of our fuel leak the QRH procedure did not give any guidance. CA consulted via radio with Dispatch; Maintenance Control; and the Chief Pilot. After the CA consulted via radio we agreed that the safest course of action was to return back to ZZZ. Due to unknown nature of the fuel leak we felt it was safer to perform an overweight landing than to loiter for more than three hours to burn off sufficient fuel to land below MGLW. Due to the strong NW winds and the high landing speeds we requested Runway XXR for our landing. Aircraft was prepared for landing; FAs (Flight Attendants) and passengers were briefed. CA performed a smooth landing and we stopped the aircraft on the runway for ARFF (Airport Rescue and Firefighting) inspection. ARFF gave us the all clear and we continued to taxi to our gate. Maintenance met the aircraft at the gate. CA did a great job utilizing all resources at his disposal to manage the situation to a safe outcome.
Second reporter narrative
ZZZ; clear; very windy and gusty conditions departing N on [Runway] XXL. I believe the winds were out of the NW at 23G37. We did a max blast; Flaps 5 takeoff using Vr max due to the conditions. In the high speed regime during the takeoff roll. An aircraft on tower frequency said something like; 'Aircraft X you are leaking fuel out your right wing'. We continued the takeoff and roughly at 150/200 feet I thought Tower said; 'Aircraft X; you have smoke coming from your right wing.' I said; 'Did you say smoke coming from our right wing? Controller said; No a big cloud of fuel spraying out of your right wing. I asked Controller if they could see where and Controller said it looks like it is on the top of the wing. Controller asked us what our intentions were and I initially said we would like vectors back around to land. Then I told Controller instead of an immediate return; we would like an area where we could run some checklists first. We received priority and I told FO to continue flying and work the radios and I would get out the appropriate checklists. On my iPad I looked up the fuel leak procedures but none really matched what we had. The only procedure was the fuel leak engine checklist. I read it several times and it wanted us to shut the engine down. I searched for any other guidance. Our fuel leak was reported from the top of the wing and not the engine. I asked my FO to see if he could find anything in our manuals more appropriate to our situation. He looked but said he could not find anything. So I asked Dispatch to call me and get a phone patch with Maintenance Control. I told Maintenance Control what we had and that I was open to suggestions. He had no suggestions. I told him there did not appear to be a huge leak and asked him about an over weight landing versus burning fuel down to be within normal landing weight. The Dispatcher said he could get the Chief Pilot on as well to see if he had any suggestions. I said great and he tied in Duty Pilot. Duty Pilot gave me his thoughts and suggestions which I appreciated. Duty Pilot also said to reiterate it is your decision as the Captain using your emergency authority. Communications were spotty and dispatch had to ACARS me the rest of our conversation. After hanging up with Dispatch; FO and I talked further and decided with all things considered we did not want to shut the engine down and add to our problems. Especially with a single engine app. and the winds reporting out of the NW at 23G40 knots. So we decided to return to the airport and do an overweight landing. I briefed the Flight Attendants. After running all the appropriate checklists; briefing the approach and looking at the overweight landing in the FOM we asked ATC for vectors back to Runway XXR. Additionally I requested fire fighting equipment and told Tower we would be stopping on the runway for inspection. I landed smoothly and tried to go easy on the brakes and brought the plane to a stop. Did not set the brakes to keep them cool in case fuel were to drip on them and start a fire. Fire fighters said we looked okay so I told them to follow us to the gate. After clearing the runway I shut the Number 2 Engine down just in case to avoid any potential fire on the Number 2 Engine. Taxied to the gate."
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.