An air carrier aircraft enroute to DEN was assigned an unexpected holding when the weather and traffic were forecast acceptable. Because no holding fuel was onboard; the crew declared an emergency and landed with minimum fuel.
Synopsis
An air carrier aircraft enroute to DEN was assigned an unexpected holding when the weather and traffic were forecast acceptable. Because no holding fuel was onboard; the crew declared an emergency and landed with minimum fuel.
Narrative
The Weather in DEN was forecast to be VFR. Dispatch noted on flight plan 'No SIG WX Enroute. ARPT ARVL Demand below capacity for your ETA. NO ARVL DLYS XPCTD'. Just after reaching cruise Dispatch sent a message that DEN had shut the airport for arrivals and then immediately sent another message canceling that report. We immediately checked the ATIS for DEN and I believe it was 10 miles and 9000 BKN. We continued on knowing that our arrival fuel for DEN would be 6.3 and the weather was good. Upon switching to DEN center we heard ATC tell another aircraft that they were holding for Denver. We became concerned at this point knowing we did not have much extra fuel. We began checking weather for COS; PUB; CYS. Sometime after we were given delay vectors for DEN to be able to avoid holding. After Vectors of up to 90 degrees off course we were given direct TBE (I think that is the ident for this fix) then HUGO. About ten minutes before HUGO we were given holding for HUGO EFC XA:35Z. We constructed the hold and Captain called Dispatch. COS was 1/4SM FG OVC001. This was not an option. PUB was okay but we did not have plates for the approach there. After entering data for hold the FMC showed we would land with 1.7 with an EFC of XA:35Z. We made two turns in hold and when the FMC showed we would land with 4.7 we declared an emergency. ATC gave us a clearance to DEN and we landed with 4.9. The low fuel light came on at touchdown.
Second reporter narrative
Dispatched with no alternate to DEN. Planned landing fuel was 6.3 (1:04 minutes). Just after reaching cruise got an ACARS message from Dispatch stating to expect holding at HGO. Followed almost immediately by message to disregard. Pulled up area weather which showed VFR in DEN but 1/4 MI in COS. Approximately 200-300 miles from DEN got a heading approximately 90 degrees off course due to slowing and possible holds into DEN. Notified Dispatch and asked for burns to COS and PUB just in case. He sent back 1.8 burn from HGO to COS and PUB and advised that we would have to use emergency authority to go to PUB due to no approach plates. I asked for the burn from DEN to COS and PUB being concerned about a last minute missed approach in DEN. He replied with 2.8 burn for PUB and a little less for COS. Pulled up area weather and noted COS 1/4 mile and PUB VFR. DEN was also reporting winds 240/10; 10 miles visibility with scattered clouds at 2600; broken at 9000; temp/dewpoint of 13/08 ILS approaches 16L and 17R with 17L/35R closed. First Officer and I discussed bingo fuel close airports such as APA and Front Range and alternatives. After several delay vectors; they cleared us direct TBE direct HGO and gave hold clearance of about 40 minutes. After plugging numbers in box we determined that even with no hold; if we missed approach and went direct to PUB we would be landing with barely 45 minutes of fuel. Advised ATC min fuel and had dispatch call me. His reply was very scratchy and almost unreadable. Dispatch was saying that no more than 5 minutes in the hold was occurring. When we queried ATC; he did not give us that impression at all!! We entered the hold with 15 mile legs while talking with dispatch. First Officer stated that if we were going to have to use Emergency authority to divert to PUB; why didn't we just declare and go direct to DEN where it was VFR. Great idea. Talked to Dispatch and told him our plan to declare EMER FUEL due to COS below minimums and landing at PUB with less than 30 minutes of fuel obvious at this point. Dispatch agreed that we should have no problem getting into DEN where it was VFR; the only problem was traffic saturation and the holding going into DEN. Advised EMER fuel with ATC and requested direct Denver. This was just after 2nd turn in holding pattern at HGO. ATC cleared us straight in on QUAIL arrival. I advised we would fly 210 KTS to conserve fuel. After descending out of FL300; winds became much more favorable and we started 'making gas'. Box now showed landing with approximately 45 minutes of fuel at DEN. So advised we were just above EMER fuel and could pick up speed for the guys behind us as everyone was declaring minimum fuel. ATC wanted to keep the EMER and assigned speed of no more than 230 knots. We did not argue and got priority handling to DEN. Landed with approximately 4800 LBS (45 min) with low 'fuel light' EICAS on due to 2200 LBS in one tank. ATC must have some sort of slowdown going on! I know at least 1 more company flight that declared Emergency Fuel today also. The next day while passing over Denver; we heard ATC giving holds due to arrival rate in Denver. Weather on ATIS was wind 070/04 10SM vis and 2800 overcast!!!!! Almost exactly the same weather we had the day before!
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.