B737 flight crew reported concerns over being directed to deviate for procedures contained in the AOM during an engine run at the gate for a fuel leak from an engine.
Synopsis
B737 flight crew reported concerns over being directed to deviate for procedures contained in the AOM during an engine run at the gate for a fuel leak from an engine.
Narrative
Right before push time; a Ramp Supervisor came to the cockpit to tell me we have fuel leaking from the #1 engine. I went down to the ramp and observed continuous fuel flowing out of the engine. I immediately called Dispatch and got patched into Maintenance Control. Told Maintenance that I had continuous fuel flowing from the #1 engine. He; not sure his name was very condescending when he told me that my AOM told me I could start the engine and run it for up to five minutes and see if it stopped. I reiterated that it was flowing at a continuous rate. It was not just a drip. He said it didn't matter; that I could run it. I hung up with him and discussed this with the other Crew Members including my FO. My FO then showed me in the AOM under the preflight portion; the note under the engine outboard cowl and latches that if a fluid leak (other than a continuous stream) from an engine drain is discovered; the engine may be started using normal procedures. This; to me; was an instant red flag for being able to start the motor. So; I called the Operations Center Chief Pilot on Call to get his opinion on how to interpret our regulation and the guidance that I received from Maintenance.I got him up to speed and he said I could go ahead and run the engine to see if the leak stopped. I told him my reservations about going against what our guidance is in the AOM. He assured me I was OK to start it and it was perfectly safe to do so. He also said if I wasn't comfortable doing it; then that was also my call. But; he again reassured me that it was safe and OK to do it. So; I talked it over with my FO; to see how he felt about it. We both had reservations; but; I also said; we have guidance from Maintenance and the Operations Center Chief Pilot. So; we both decided to start it up and run it to see if it stopped. It did stop once we got it started. The FO and I talked about it all the way to ZZZ; I said; what if the FAA was there watching us over our shoulders and he asked; what our regulation guidance was in the AOM and what we did; I'm not too sure he would agree with our actions. There definitely needs to be addressed in the AOM. If our actions were completely right; then; the AOM verbiage needs to be changed. If our actions were wrong; then; the guidance we are getting from Maintenance and our Leadership needs to be addressed.
Second reporter narrative
First flight of the day. Captain saw in the logbook that the left engine had leaked on an earlier flight and told me to look carefully at the engine on the preflight. I saw no leak. After the aircraft was fueled the left engine started leaking with a continuous stream of fuel to the point that the Ground Personnel had to put barriers up to contain the fuel. The Captain called MX and they told him that in accordance with the AOM we should start the engine and see if the leak stopped within five minutes. After that phone call; the Captain and I looked in the AOM. On Page X there is a note that says 'If a fluid leak (other than a continuous stream) from an engine drain is discovered during the Exterior Preflight Inspection; the engine may be started using normal procedures.' As this was a continuous stream; the Captain and I decided that we probably should not start the engine without further guidance. He called the Chief Pilot Operations Center Chief Pilot; who told him that it would be safe to start the engine and we could go as long as the leak stopped; but it was our call. We eventually decided to follow this guidance and started the engine and the leak stopped. After we left the Captain and I questioned our decision. If this is a safe procedure; why is it written differently in the AOM? Would the FAA have a problem with us starting a motor with a continuous stream of fuel with passengers on board the aircraft? I think if what we did is the approved solution; then the AOM should be rewritten to reflect this. If this is not a safe procedure then word should get out to the chief pilots so that they can provide some definitive guidance to Crews in the future.
More incidents for this aircraft family →
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.