Regional Jet 900 (CRJ900)
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution
Aircraft
Just prior to level off at FL350; we received a Crossflow Pump caution message. At the time we had about 250 pounds more fuel in the left tank. Both the left and right fuel transfer switch lights were illuminated with a 'FAIL' indication. The Captain was flying and asked that I begin the QRH procedure for the Crossflow Pump caution. This did not rectify the growing imbalance; and we requested from ATC a right turn to try to gravity feed from the left tank. This was unsuccessful and the imbalance continued upwards of 1400 pounds. Due to the imbalance being outside of known limitations; we requested direct to [a nearby alternate]; which was granted. The QRH directed that if unable to resolve via gravity crossflow then the engine on the low side must be shut down; and we accomplished this procedure. Prior to this the Captain transferred control to me so he could run the QRH. With the right engine shut down the imbalance stabilized and began improving. Control was transferred back to the Captain on the downwind vector and he accomplished a gentle and uneventful landing. The cause was a failed fuel crossflow pump and an unsuccessful attempt to gravity cross feed from the heavier tank. The guidance in the QRH could be improved with clearer wording so that this situation could be more rapidly corrected.
CRJ-900 First Officer reported diverting to an alternate airport after shutting down the right engine in response to a fuel crossflow pump problem.