MD-83
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
FUEL LEVEL LOW light illuminated during flight. Approximately 130 miles from landing and while at FL290; the FUEL LEVEL LOW light illuminated. The QRH was followed. LOW FUEL LEVEL CB was pulled/reset per QRH. The light went out for about 20 seconds; then re-illuminated again. An emergency was declared and a landing was made at the nearest suitable airport; which was our original destination. No other suitable airport was closer; 80 KT tailwind; almost idle descent to destination.  When the FUEL LEVEL LOW light illuminated; the tank readings were: Total: 8400; both left and right tanks had a close balance of just over 4;000 LBS each. Center tank was empty. After landing the fuel tank readings were: Total: 7300; Left 3700; Right 3400; and center 200. The FUEL LEVEL LOW light illuminating indicates that either main tank is below 2500 LBS. We also noticed that during cruise that it was difficult to trim the airplane and the left wing seemed to be low. After landing the flight attendants also confirmed that this was very noticeable. I was assuming it to a possible fuel imbalance. Both the FUEL LEVEL LOW light illuminating and trim condition were written up in the logbook.  Landing was without incident. The QRH says; LOW FUEL LEVEL circuit breaker (lower EPC); Pull/reset. I spent a number of minutes searching for this CB. In a time critical situation there should not be needless time searching for CB's. I think the location of the CB should be indicated. If I remember; it was S41. Could the location be added to this procedure?
MD80 Captain experiences a Fuel Low Level light at FL290 with the fuel gauges indicating about 8;000 pounds. An emergency is declared and; being close to top of descent; the flight continues to destination.