Dash 8-200
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
While climbing through 13;000 FT; I noticed the Number 1 fuel system appeared abnormally split. Knowing that I had been fueled accurately; I immediately looked to the Number 1 wing. I noticed a mist/vapor being expelled from what appeared to be the magnastick location. I am uncertain of where the actual leak was. I had advised the First Officer that we would be declaring an emergency; which we did and turned back. Due to this unique situation; we had looked for a specific emergency checklist but none existed. We had approximately 4;500 LBS at the time we noticed the issue. We then proceeded to shut down the Number 1 engine as a precaution; via the SOP and emergency checklist. We returned; landed; and taxied off the runway. I had requested from that point that we be towed to a safe location. An entry was made in the aircraft logbook.
After departure; during the initial climb to 14;000 FT; the Captain noticed a fuel imbalance. The Captain then noticed fuel leaking overboard from the left wing. The Captain called for a 'fuel leak' checklist. No such checklist existed. The Captain elected to declare an emergency with ATC and return. The Captain then exercised emergency authority and the crew shut down the Number 1 engine using memory action items as a precaution. The Captain then called for the Engine Failure/Fire Checklist. The checklist was followed to the end and the crew landed safely.
DHC8-200 flight crew notes a fuel imbalance during climb and sees what he believes is a fuel leak on the left wing. The left engine is shut down and the flight returns to the departure airport.