B737-800
Dispatch Dispatcher
Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Weight And Balance; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
The flight had diverted to ZZZZ due to weather in ZZZZ1. After aircraft arrived in ZZZZ; Dispatcher planned and released aircraft for return flight to ZZZZ1 with a gate release fuel of 13;800 pounds. The Captain sent an ACARS message to Dispatch requesting a flight plan for the return leg to ZZZZ1. Dispatcher responded to the message and advised the Captain the flight plan and release were completed with a planned fuel load of 13.8. Dispatch was informed by ZZZZZ Operations that the fuel load on board the aircraft was 16;000 pounds. Additionally; the Captain reported 16.0 as the fuel load via ACARS to Dispatch. ZZZZ Operations informed dispatch that the Captain requested a fuel load of 16.0. This fuel load placed the aircraft approximately 2;000 pounds over takeoff weight based on landing. Dispatch informed ZZZZ Operations the aircraft was overweight and that it could not be released with that fuel load. Dispatch finally spoke with the Captain and verified the fuel on board requested by the Captain was 16;000 lbs. Dispatch informed the Captain of the overweight condition. The Captain told dispatch he planned to burn additional fuel enroute to ZZZZ to be below MAX Landing Weight. Dispatch informed Captain he needed to notify Dispatch before adding fuel placing the aircraft out of weight limits. Dispatch adjusted planned altitude; route; and fuel burn to place the aircraft within limits.Captain did not inform/consult with Dispatcher regarding the amount of fuel he requested be loaded onto aircraft. Additionally; fuel was loaded onto aircraft without operations personnel verifying the increased fuel load with Dispatch.Captain must contact Dispatcher to prevent an unknown overweight or out of CG aircraft from departing. Additionally; station personnel must verify any change in fuel with Dispatch prior to fuel being loaded onto the aircraft.
Dispatcher reported the Captain failed to notify Dispatch of extra fuel requested and caused the aircraft to depart overweight.