EMB ERJ 140 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Total 20079
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
Exterior and interior preflight items were normal. Completed engine start checklist and notified ground crew we were ready for pushback. Agent in charge notified me of a substantial fuel leak from Engine 1. I stopped the pushback to investigate. This was prior to engine start. Engine 1 was leaking a drop per second with fuel pump ON. Once pump was turned OFF; the leak eventually slowed. Maintenance was notified along with Dispatch and the problem was noted in the logbook. Kudos to the professionalism and safety-mindedness of our ground crew; especially the agent in charge. Fuel leaks are very dangerous and their attention to duty are part of what makes our airline one of the safest in the industry. Thank you very much!Unknown maintenance malfunction; suspect problem is related to fuel pump turning ON; pressurizing fuel system. Leak slowed once pump was turned off. Good job on part of ground crew. Need better communications with Dispatch and Maintenance [at foreign airport]. System did work; but it was highly inefficient.
An EMB-140 Captain; while at the gate and just prior to pushback and engine start; was notified by the Agent in charge that a fuel leak had been detected emanating from the #1 engine. It was noted that the leak was one drop per second with the fuel pump on; and slowly dissipated with the fuel pump in the off position.