MD-83
Flight Crew Commercial
Distraction; Human-Machine Interface; Time Pressure; Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Flight Crew Diverted; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors; Procedure
At cruise FL320 the 'Fuel Low Light' illuminated. Ran DC9 QRH procedures with fuel quantities above 2;500 LBS. Fuel reading crossing before descent was 7;000 LBS with 0 center. After reset; Fuel Low came back on. As per the Warning Note in QRH and a system check in the operating manual. Determined that without a fuel slip from our departure station; could not determine our fuel aboard was correct. Light comes on to indicate less than 2;500 LBS in tank. Needed 1;700 LBS to continue to our destination; a major airport was 40 miles behind us. Declared Emergency with ATC; turned direct to the airport and landed North on Runway 35R. Normal landing. Had Maintenance stick tanks for fuel aboard aircraft to determine known quantity on aircraft; sticks showed about 700 LBS less than what was indicated. Had Maintenance placard system; added a known quantity of fuel and departed for our destination.
A MD-83 Fuel Low Light illuminated at FL320; but without a departure station fuel slip the crew was uncertain about the quantity indicated so an emergency was declared and the flight diverted for fuel and maintenance.