An EMB140 crew executed three missed approaches to an airport with the ILS out of service. A decision was made to return to the departure airport and a fuel emergency was declared for low fuel under a dynamic fuel allocation program.

2009-12 · NASA ASRS report 864544

Date: 2009-12 · Aircraft: EMB ERJ 140 ER/LR · Phase: approach

Anomalies: inflight-event-encounter-fuel-issue|inflight-event-encounter-weather-turbulence

Synopsis

An EMB140 crew executed three missed approaches to an airport with the ILS out of service. A decision was made to return to the departure airport and a fuel emergency was declared for low fuel under a dynamic fuel allocation program.

Narrative

Winter storms along the Coastline. Station NOTAMs include: NAV Runway X ILS ZZZ/GP OTS. Two alternates listed on the release. Radar vectored to the RNAV (GPS) Runway X; then direct to the IAF. One aircraft in front of us on approach. Preceding aircraft went missed approach. Intermittent ground contact on approach with light rain falling. After the 2nd missed approach evaluated FOB (fuel on board); asked for radar vectors to Intermediate (IF) fix. Aircraft on approach in front of us made it in. Intermittent ground contact. Went missed approach. Tower reporting Runway XX RVR 5000. Over VOR enroute to our alternate evaluated fuel on board. Long Range Cruise. Notified Approach we were minimum fuel. On initial contact Approach Final approach advised them we were 'minimal fuel'. Advised to expect 12-mile final to ILS Runway Y. For traffic priority declared emergency fuel. Radar vectored to intercept ILS Runway Y just outside FAF. ILS approach to visual conditions. Landing uneventful. Shutdown with 1310 LBS fuel. Notified Dispatch of minimal fuel declaration/emergency Fuel declarations via ACARS and shutdown fuel. No passenger injuries. Dispatch reply to message was that a new TAF was being issued and that further flights were being canceled. A major problem was facility outages at our destination; specifically the ILS Runway X. Rain showers on the approach limited forward visibility. Re-evaluate Dynamic Fuel Reserve computation method. This was this Captain's first weather divert under the Dynamic Fuel Reserve program.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.

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