A320 flight crew reported a diversion caused by a rapidly changing fuel imbalance.
Synopsis
A320 flight crew reported a diversion caused by a rapidly changing fuel imbalance.
Narrative
We were at cruise and received an ECAM (Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitor) caution 'ctr tank 2 fuel lo level' which is normal when the tank runs dry. We waited a few seconds and a second blue ECAM directed us to turn CTR TANK 2 off and open the XFEED; which we did. We pulled up the fuel page and noticed a 1;400 pound imbalance which is also normal. We continued watching the fuel page and noticed the imbalance rapidly getting worse. We consulted the FM to fuel imbalance and followed the procedure; which was to turn tank 1 off; open XFEED and tank 2 should balance out tank one. The fuel imbalance started increasing at a rapid rate. Tank 2 went UP in fuel while tank one was falling rapidly; now approaching 3;000 pounds lower. I called Dispatch and had him connect me with M/C (Maintenance Control). M/C did not have a solution that we had not already tried. Suspecting a fuel leak; we made the decision to divert to ZZZ. I notified the passengers and flight attendants and we diverted to ZZZ. The fuel imbalance continued to get worse and the autopilot eventually had 3.2 degrees of right rudder in with left bank to keep us flying straight and level. We landed ZZZ and requested ARFF assistance to verify we did not have a fuel leak before taxing to the gate.
Second reporter narrative
During cruise flight we received an ECAM (Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitor) from low pressure from one of the center tank pumps. The tank was at 40 pounds so we believed the message would disappear however it did not. We proceeded to run the ECAM and at the conclusion we identified a 1;400 lbs fuel imbalance which is not abnormal. However; this fuel imbalance rapidly increased approaching our structural limitations. The Captain initiated the fuel imbalance QRH procedure after consulting the FM and communicated with M/C (Maintenance Control). M/C did not have any suggestions we had not attempted. We investigated whether this could be a false reading but determined it was a true imbalance due to the aircraft slowly entering a small bank with rudder trim while in level flight. Due to a possibility of a fuel leak; the aircraft uncoordinated flight condition and the uncorrectable fuel imbalance the captain elected to divert to ZZZ. We landed uneventfully in ZZZ and had ground ops trucks inspect the aircraft for a fuel leak before continuing to our gate. No leak was found.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.