CRJ700 flight crew reported fuel quantity issues during preflight fueling. After takeoff; the total fuel showed to be rapidly decreasing and a fuel imbalance error message appeared. The flight crew then performed an air turnback.
Synopsis
CRJ700 flight crew reported fuel quantity issues during preflight fueling. After takeoff; the total fuel showed to be rapidly decreasing and a fuel imbalance error message appeared. The flight crew then performed an air turnback.
Narrative
We were first fueled to 9;600 lb. of fuel. From the time at which the Fueler disconnected till we completed the Before-Start Checklist; the total fuel decreased to 8;900 lb. I thought that the Fueler may have offloaded the 700 lb. of fuel but the Fueler said they can't offload fuel. We called the Fueler back and added about another 600 lb. so we had 9;600 lb. total before we started the engines/left the ramp. On the taxi out during the Before-Takeoff Checklist; we announced we had 8;700 lb. required and 9;300 lb. indicating with balanced tanks and about 50 lb. in the center tank - all looked normal. We took off well within our required takeoff fuel amount. At about 12;000 ft.; myself and the Captain noticed that the total fuel was decreasing 10 lb. every second and there was a 500 lb. fuel imbalance with the LH XFLOW MSG appearing. Total fuel decreased to approximately 8;100 lb. We turned back directly to ZZZ. The Captain asked ATC if there were any closer fields but we still elected to proceed to ZZZ due to the low cloud ceilings and our familiarity with the airport. Once fully established in a descent; we noticed the total fuel being lost eventually corrected relative to the fuel flow. We still continued to ZZZ thinking that the total fuel indication may not be accurate at all. The Captain called back to the FAs (Flight Attendant) to tell them we were landing immediately due to a suspected fuel leak; that there was no need to brace; and that they would see fire trucks but to remained seated and there was no need to evacuate at that time. We had very limited time due to the situation so we did not get the procedure items in exact order. We were vectored in for the ILS XXL and landed normally. ATC rolled the ARFF (Airport Rescue and Firefighting) trucks which followed us to the ramp; and stated they did not see an active fuel leak. We stopped on the ramp for about a couple minutes while Operations opened a gate for us; and then blocked in with approximately 8;500 lb. of fuel.Try to get the procedure items done to company standards if able. Root cause [was] fuel dropping abnormally through climb.
Second reporter narrative
When initially fueled; we had 9;680 lb. of fuel; surpassing our EDR (Estimated Dispatch Required) amount of 9;281 lb. From the time at which the Fueler disconnected till we completed the Before-Start Checklist; about five or so minutes - the total fuel decreased to 8;910 lbs. I thought that the Fueler may have offloaded the 700 lb. of fuel thinking that it went over the planned amount and it wasn't going to roll back the normal 100 - 150 lb. or so. We called the Fueler back and added about another 600 lb. so we had just over 9;500 lb. total before we started the engines/left the ramp. On the taxi out during the Before-Takeoff Checklist; we announced we had 8;700 lb. required and 9;300 lb. indicating with balanced tanks and about 50 lb. in the center tank - all looked normal. We took off well within our required takeoff fuel amount; and began our normal climb profile. At about 12;000 ft.; the FO (First Officer) and I noticed that the total fuel was rapidly decreasing; approximately 10 lb. every second; and there was a 500 lb. fuel imbalance with the LH XFLOW MSG appearing. Total fuel decreased rapidly to approximately 8;100 lb. We turned back directly to ZZZ. I asked ATC if there were any closer fields as I thought we may not have enough fuel to land at ZZZ. We still elected to proceed to ZZZ due to the low cloud ceilings and our familiarity with the airport. Once fully established in a descent; we noticed the total fuel being lost eventually corrected relative to the fuel flow. We still continued to ZZZ with haste as I thought that the total fuel indication may not be accurate at all. I called back to the FAs (Flight Attendant) to tell them we were landing immediately due to a suspected fuel leak; that there was no need to brace; and that they would see fire trucks but to remained seated and there was no need to evacuate at that time. We did not run the procedure items per standard as we did not have time. We were vectored in for the ILS XXL and landed normally. ATC rolled the ARFF (Airport Rescue and Firefighting) trucks; the trucks followed us to the ramp; and the ARFF did not see an active fuel leak. We stopped on the ramp for about four minutes while Operations opened a gate for us; and then blocked in with approximately 8;550 lb. of fuel.I think we all handled the situation well. We had a suspected fuel leak as the total fuel during the climb was rapidly dropping.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.