B717 (Formerly MD-95)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Confusion; Human-Machine Interface
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Aircraft Equipment Problem Dissipated; Flight Crew Diverted; General Declared Emergency
Human Factors; Aircraft
While in cruise at FL300; we received a LAT FUEL IMBAL Level One alert; followed very shortly by a FUEL LEVEL LO Level One alert. After bringing up the Fuel Synoptic page; the left main tank indicated 1850 pounds and the right main tank indicated 4500. All main tank boost pumps were on and functioning at the time of the event. The total fuel indicated (6400-6500) was already at/below the amount planned for landing in Atlanta. The Fuel Used indications for both engines matched each other and Fuel Flow looked normal. Based on this indication; we concluded we had a possible fuel leak. I was Pilot Flying at this time. The Captain took the controls and asked me to coordinate for direct to the nearest practical airport for the altitude we were at and for a lower altitude. Most of the remaining time was spent declaring an emergency; getting weather and active runway info for the diversion airport; and passing applicable information to ATC; as well at informing the Cabin Crew and passengers. On approximately 8-10 mile final the fuel quantity for the left main tank jumped back up to 4300 (matching the right tank) and the two Level One alerts extinguished. We then realized we most likely had an indicating problem as opposed to a leak; but were essentially committed to landing [so we did so].
A B717 flight crew diverted to a suitable airport due to an apparent major fuel leak in the left main fuel tank. On short final the quantity in the left tank rebounded to match that in the right tank.