A B747-400 had to stop on the taxiway due to fuel venting from the right surge tank. Passengers were evacuated and transported to the terminal while Maintenance and CFR crews resolved the problems.
Synopsis
A B747-400 had to stop on the taxiway due to fuel venting from the right surge tank. Passengers were evacuated and transported to the terminal while Maintenance and CFR crews resolved the problems.
Narrative
Pushed late due to lack of cockpit bunk linens. Immediately upon taxi after pushback Ramp Controller was notified by another taxiing aircraft and the FAA Tower that our airplane was venting fuel out the right wing. We then stopped and called Maintenance Control who directed us to deal with Local Maintenance. We suspected fuel venting from the surge tanks as our wing tanks were full and the sun had been beating down on the aircraft. #3 main was 81.7 and # 4 main was 30.6. CFR was deployed and informed us we were venting approximately 2 to 3 gallons a minute. They suggested we shut down the right side engines and we shut down all engines. Maintenance then tried to transfer some fuel to the center tank from the #3 main; but were unsuccessful. After 15 minutes fire personnel suggested we deplane the people and we did so using doors 2L and 4L using ground transportation. Maintenance and Fuel Personnel entered the airplane through the E and E compartment and tried to figure out why the fuel would not transfer. It eventually did when the proper switches were selected on the external fueling panel on the wing. Fire department estimated we vented approximately 200 gallons of fuel. We then were towed to a gate and the flight crew deplaned and returned to the hotel.
Second reporter narrative
The Fire Chief/Captain said the company was slow in responding because they needed a place to put the fuel that had spilled and all the trucks were full. He waited patiently; but then took it upon himself to get things moving and subsequently charging the company! He said 'We can't stay out here all day.' It was attended to; but all company parties seemed confused as to a plan for this event.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.