2011-10 · NASA ASRS report 974590
Despite using all available resources to save fuel enroute; delays due to runway changes and a spacing problem with preceding aircraft; which forced a go-around; resulted in a B737-800 flight crew arriving with only 3;600 LBS of fuel.
We departed on time; but noted out loud that fuel load was less than usual. Flight plan showed arrival fuel of 5;140 LBS. Captain decided to take first leg. [This was the] first time we had flown together. He mentioned light winds and VFR weather. Flight planned for 35;000 FT and .79 mach. Captain requests 39;000 FT and flies economy of .77 mach. At cruise arrival fuel shows 5.4. We received direct routing and executed an optimal descent.35 minutes before arrival the airport was turned around; landing west now instead of east. Approach assigned a speed of 310 KTS. Abeam field; we have fuel of 6.2 and are given a visual approach; assigned 210 KTS; and asked to follow an Airbus. Next we were asked to slow to 170 KTS. We saw that spacing was looking tight and start slowing. Tower advised us to slow to approach speed and approved S-turns if necessary. Captain elected to execute shallow S-turns while following glide path. Tower called go-around due to the Airbus delay in exiting the runway.Captain executed go-around and we were vectored for short approach; but given a longer final than expected. At shut down; fuel read 3.6; way too low for my comfort. [I] would like Dispatch to be aware of this and load more appropriately for future flights.
Our destination has numerous alternate airports near it and en route. The weather was forecast to be VFR/scattered clouds with light winds.The Tower could have anticipated the long roll out necessary for landing aircraft and communicated this to Approach Control. The combination of both agencies could have built a better spacing plan for arriving aircraft. The Tower could have advised all arriving aircraft to plan on rolling to the end of the runway; due to taxiway construction. This would have been a good cue for all aircraft that tight spacing on final would lead to a problem on landing.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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