2023-06 · NASA ASRS report 2013355
B737-700 flight crew reported a fuel imbalance and suspected fuel leak during climb. Crew returned to departure airport after shutting down left engine per checklist.
During climb at approximately 20;000 ft.; after center tank fuel was exhausted; the First Officer and I began to notice that there was a developing imbalance between left and right fuel tanks. The fuel quantity in the left tank was dropping at a rate of approximately 10 pounds every 20 seconds. We followed the QRH procedure for a suspected fuel leak. Had the Flight Attendants look to see if there was vapor trailing from Engine #1. They said they didn't see anything. In approximately five minutes the fuel quantity in the left tank was reading 7470 (compared to the right tank at about 8000 pounds). We discussed what we were seeing; continued to follow the QRH; and elected to make a precautionary engine shutdown. We communicated via voice with Dispatch and elected to return to ZZZ. Once the engine was shut down; the fuel in the left tank remained roughly the same; at about 7100 pounds until landing. We [requested priority] and had Crash Fire Rescue at the ready just in case they were needed.
During climb; at approximately 20;000 ft.; after center tank fuel was exhausted; the Captain and I began to notice that there was a developing imbalance between left and right fuel tanks. The fuel quantity in the left tank was dropping at a rate of approximately 10 pounds every 20 seconds. We followed the QRH procedure for a suspected fuel leak. Had the Flight Attendants look to see if there was vapor trailing from engine #1. They said they didn't see anything. In approximately five minutes the fuel quantity in the left tank was reading 7470 (compared to the right tank at about 8000 pounds) We discussed what we were seeing; continued to follow the QRH; and elected to make a precautionary engine shutdown. We communicated via voice with Dispatch and elected to return to ZZZ. We [requested priority] with ATC. They vectored us back for the visual approach to Runway XXR; to which the Captain landed the aircraft. Once the engine was shut down the fuel in the left tank remained roughly the same; at about 7100 pounds until landing.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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