B737-700
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 185
Confusion; Training / Qualification; Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Company Policy; Chart Or Publication; Aircraft; MEL; Procedure; Manuals
We were preflighting the flight and there was a MEL for one of the center fuel tank pumps being out of service. After reading the MEL; there was a bit of confusion in regards to documentation on the load sheet. While there was no safety of flight issue; we were unsure if the center tank fuel had to be incorporated into the zero fuel weight; 3;000 pounds of it for the actual flight. It was documented on the fuel sheet but not reflected in the zero fuel weight. We pushed on time even though we were still somewhat unsure and; only after we were flying; did we fully realize it should have been documented in the adjustments section of the load sheet and added to the load sheet. In the air; we were able to use the fuel out of the center tank using one fuel pump and the flight went without a problem.
Aircraft had left center fuel pump MEL'd. MEL says pilots must confirm center tank fuel has been included in the ZFW computation on the loading schedule. I mentioned this to the First Officer before getting the loading schedule and that I did not know what this would look like. When we got it; we talked about how we did not see any notation anywhere. We assumed that it had been accounted for elsewhere. Enroute; after reading through the MEL a few times; I realized either the MEL or the loadsheet had to be wrong. I called Dispatch on arrival and the load sheet was wrong. Lesson learned (AGAIN): slow down and call someone.As I mentioned; slow down and ask questions. The MEL could be [clearer] on how the loading schedule will appear to the pilots. The Agent's screen was supposed to be locked out so a conversation would occur with the Dispatcher.
A B737-700 crew and Dispatcher were confused about the proper preflight weight and balance fuel documentation procedure in accordance with the MEL when a single Center Tank fuel pump is inoperative.