A320
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Evacuated
Human Factors; Aircraft
I was the first to arrive at the aircraft and found a Mechanic sitting in the cockpit monitoring the fueling process. As I relieved him he pointed out the abnormally high fuel load we were taking (41.1k lbs) and how he had to switch the center tank pumps to manual in order to keep the tanks balanced. I acknowledged his instructions and told him I wouldn't touch it. Once the Captain arrived I pointed out the fuel load and the fact that the Mechanic switched the center tanks to manual. The Captain then switched off the center tank pumps and selected the mode back to auto. A short time later the fueler came up to the cockpit to inform us that he had just experienced a significant fuel spill and that the clean-up crew was on its way. The Captain and I looked up the procedures for a fuel spill in the FOM and proceeded to ask operations to deplane the passengers. The Captain also asked; numerous times; for the fire department to be notified. As I walked outside to conduct my exterior inspection I immediately noticed fuel coming out of the left wing like a fire hose for the second time and returned to inform the captain. The ground crew promptly notified the fueler of the situation. The spill covered most of the area under the left wing and outboard of the Number 1 engine. In about 5 minutes there was a clean up crew laying down 'kitty litter' on the spill and cleaning it up. I made the mistake of allowing the Maintenance personnel to leave the fueling system on manual; contrary to our SOP. When I relieved the Mechanic I shouldn't have been worried about what the Mechanic knew that I didn't and I should have followed our procedures. Instead I waited for the Captain to arrive at the aircraft in order to confer with him.
A320 First Officer is informed by the Mechanic involved that that the aircraft is being fueled manually due to the high fuel load. The First Officer informs the Captain when he arrives who switches to auto. A short time later a large fuel spill occurs out of the left wing.