A321
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Total 13500
Distraction; Workload; Time Pressure
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
We had completed push back and the engine starts. After start flow had been completed. We receive a call from the aft flight attendants. They reported a strong smell of fuel and both crew experienced throat and eye irritation. Passengers were seen covering their faces. While I was talking to the crew; Ground Control calls us and reports a large amount of liquid on ground which appeared to be coming from our airplane. We immediately call Operations and ask for a gate to return. We started the APU (bleed was left off) and shut down the engines. Operations calls the fire and rescue as a precaution and we got towed into the gate. Passengers were deplaned normally. This was a repeat write up for this aircraft. Maintenance needs to evaluate cause of repeated fume events on this aircraft.
A321 Captain reported a strong smell of fuel in the aft cabin shortly after engine start; resulting in the engines being shut down; and the aircraft being towed back to the gate.