B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human-Machine Interface; Confusion; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution
Aircraft
Upon leveling a FL320 left fuel quantity indicated ~400 pounds greater than the right fuel quantity. [Company] procedures were applied in balancing the two indications. A short time after the balancing was completed; the fuel imbalance light indication illuminated indicating an imbalance of ~1100 pounds. The crew noticed the left fuel quantity indicator decreasing while the right fuel quantity remained constant. Because of the events that were taking place with the imbalance in such a short time; the captain elected to divert the aircraft to the nearest suitable airport. The throttles were in the closed position until power up was necessary for the landing. After gate arrival maintenance determined that in fact the left tank was 1500 pounds lower than the right. All procedures were completed in accordance with [company].
Upon reaching cruise altitude; the flight crew noted a fuel imbalance. Appropriate troubleshooting procedures were unsuccessful in correcting the problem; so an immediate diversion to the nearest suitable airport was accomplished.