CRJ700 flight crew is informed of fuel loss from the right wing during rotation. An EICAS Fuel Imbalance message is noted and crew elects to divert to an airport with a longer runway; without running the fuel leak checklist to its completion.
Synopsis
CRJ700 flight crew is informed of fuel loss from the right wing during rotation. An EICAS Fuel Imbalance message is noted and crew elects to divert to an airport with a longer runway; without running the fuel leak checklist to its completion.
Narrative
I was pilot flying with an Initial Operator Experience (IOE) Captain student in left seat. Lost right overwing fuel filler cap at rotation. Initial report from Tower was smoke coming from right engine. No fire/failure was indicated. Aircraft behind us then told us it was fuel coming from right wing. Commuting Captain informed flight attendants of loss of fuel cap. Performed Fuel Leak checklist after declaring an emergency with Approach and diverted to a nearby airport. Approach notified Operations for us and we requested CFR. [I] [briefed] Flight Attendants. Because of large fuel imbalance and unknown status of fuel leak I exercised Captain's authority and expedited landing at the nearby airport. Isolated fuel tank; did not finish Fuel Leak checklist which called for a flaps 20 landing. Landed overweight at flaps 45; 71;000 LBS speed card. Actual weight was probably close to 69;000 LBS. Performed all normal checklists and verified runway landing performance; landed with 200 FPM descent rate; rolled out to end of runway; met by CFR who inspected aircraft for active fuel leak and any fire hazard. None was found; taxied to gate and deplaned. The cause is unknown because aircraft was fueled by normal single point fueling method. No problems were indicated to me by fuelers.
Second reporter narrative
Tower informed us on takeoff rotation of what appeared to be smoke from right engine. Later; by confirmation from the aircraft set to depart after us; it was determined to be fuel spray. On departure; and initial climb out; a FUEL IMBALANCE caution message posted to EICAS. We decided to declare an emergency; and as we were deciding this; ATC informed us that they had in fact just done so on our behalf (The time difference being a matter of seconds). We; concurrent to this; elected to divert. The Captain exercised Captain's emergency authority to terminate a lengthy process emergency fuel leak checklist as we were unsure of the state/rate of fuel loss; and decided; [consistent] with all matters safety; to abandon the checklist; and land immediately at a nearby airport. Upon rollout and inspection by the airport emergency services we were cleared to taxi to the gate and the flight was deplaned normally. Upon post flight inspection; the fuel cap was [found to be] missing. Fuel cap was present and installed on preflight inspection prior to departure.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.