MD-11
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
While in cruise approximately 20 NM prior to top of descent; we received a 'TANK3 FUEL QTY LO' Level 1 alert with fuel quantities of 6700/6700/6700.  As per QRH; we managed our fuel situation by manually transferring fuel to from Tank 1 to Tank 3.  After transferring 1000 pounds of fuel from Tank 1 to Tank 3; we received a 'TNK3 TIP TRAPPED' Level 1 alert.  At this time; our fuel quantity indications were 5800/6700/7100 with 5100 pounds now trapped in the right outboard (#3) fuel tank.  We then cross-fed the #3 engine from TNK2.  We proceeded directly to the ILS final.  As we descended through 13;000 feet; the system that allows fuel to transfer to from the tip tank to the main tank unstuck and the systems became normal.  We opted to leave the Fuel System Controller in Manual and not change any configuration.  Upon acquiring the field visually; we proceeded directly the final approach fix on the ILS and landed uneventfully.  Crash search and Rescue (CFR) vehicles followed us to the gate.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
An MD-11 alerted TNK3 FUEL QTY LO level 1 which resulted in a trapped fuel alert. Following manual fuel transfers in the descent for landing; the system returned to normal with all fuel usable.