B747 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 240; Flight Crew Total 12456; Flight Crew Type 6114
Communication Breakdown; Time Pressure
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory
Human Factors; Procedure
Fuel was properly serviced. Somehow; I believe I managed to disable the fuel system logic on the aircraft during preflight and did not receive any EICAS message as to the improper open position of the crossfeed valves until the message low fuel quantity appeared. Override pumps were activated and fuel issue was resolved. Also; as a safety measure; I declared minimum fuel to approach control and we received clearance directly to outer marker fix for normal landing. This was simply because we wanted no delays attached to us during arrival. This was a ferry flight only. Part of our possible distraction was that we were not handled with efficiency at departure station and we were running nearly 1 hour late to start the first leg of a 4 leg charter operation.
B747 Captain reported fuel was correctly loaded onto the aircraft; but the crossfeed valve was left open. Error was not discovered until midflight. Aircrew applied appropriate switches to solve the issue; but still declared minimum fuel into the arrival airport.