DHC8 flight crew reports pushing back without the proper fuel load. The before start checklist had been interrupted when the improper fuel was noted and never restarted.
Synopsis
DHC8 flight crew reports pushing back without the proper fuel load. The before start checklist had been interrupted when the improper fuel was noted and never restarted.
Narrative
Our Aircraft arrived late. As I came out of the gate I stopped to speak to a Ramp Supervisor and while talking to him I did see a fuel truck pulling around to the back of the plane. I assumed the truck was arriving to fuel us. Once the First Officer got back in the plane after his walk around; I called for the Checklists. When we got to item; 'Preferred Fuel Quantity' we stopped the checklist because I noticed that there was only 2;000 LBS and assumed the fueler I saw was going to fuel the aircraft. The First Officer said he also saw a truck on the other side of the plane when he did his walk around. A little pressed for time we then reviewed the MEL's on the aircraft while passengers were boarding. When we finished checking the MEL's the Flight Attendant brought up the passenger count along with the other paperwork. The weight and balance was completed and handed to the Flight Attendant. I think there was a comment made by the gate agent about the time we would call off the gate. The door was closed and I got the go ahead signal and I started the #2 Engine using the APU and called for push-back. As we stated push back we both noticed almost at the same time that we still only had 2;000 LBS of fuel and stopped the push back. Almost at that same time Ramp Control called and said the Fueler Supervisor notified them that they had not been able to fuel us yet. We elected to return to the gate under our own power; and got the proper amount of fuel.The inbound flight was late so we were trying to get an on time departure and were somewhat rushed and stopped the checklist at the fuel call; and then started reviewing the MELs; then the paperwork arrived and was completed and we never went back to the checklist to complete it. Slow down; make sure all checklists are completed and not go on to something else (MEL's) and perhaps hold the checklist in my hand until it's complete.
Second reporter narrative
I walked out to the aircraft with the gate agent and immediately performed the pre-flight inspection; I saw and acknowledged a fuel truck driver who was stopped behind the aircraft. I had assumed the fueler was waiting for me to complete my inspection before moving into position to begin fueling. Once settled in the cockpit; the Captain called for the Checklists. When we reached item; 'Preferred Fuel Quantity' we stopped the checklist and commented that there was only 2;000 LBS and we were waiting for the fueler to begin fueling the aircraft. The Captain mentioned that he also saw a truck on the other side of the plane when he walked out. The Captain and I reviewed the MEL's on the aircraft while passengers were boarding. By the time we had finished confirming the correct MEL's and maintenance procedures for the proper MEL's the Flight Attendant brought up the passenger count along with the weight and balance. I completed the weight and balance and gave it to the Captain to review. During that time; the Gate Agent commented on the departure time of the flight compared to the current time. Once the Captain confirmed that all paperwork was properly filled out; He passed it to the Flight Attendant and I called operations with our time off the gate; forgetting that the Before Start Checklist had not been completed; we started the #2 Engine (due to the APU Generator being MEL'ed) and I called for push-back. Once push-back commenced the Captain and I noticed that we still only had 2;000 LBS of fuel and immediately signaled to the push-back crew to stop. As the Captain set the parking brake; Ramp Control called and confirmed that we had not been fueled. We elected to return to the gate under our own power; reconnected the GPU; and I called Operations and requested fuel be put on the aircraft. The remainder of the flight was uneventful. I would suggest not signing the release until the proper fuel is on the aircraft and verified by both crew members.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.