Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 250; Flight Crew Total 16000; Flight Crew Type 3500
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Weight And Balance
Human Factors
After diverting into OKC contacted Dispatch for new Flight Plan and Release. Flight Plan RLS2 ZFW = 90;135 pounds. Initial RLS01 ZFW = 118;995 pounds. We had 6 passengers deplane in OKC; fuel upload approximately equal to initial RLS01 but I saw that TOGW was 28;000 pounds less in OKC than for initial takeoff. We phone patched with Load Planning and they stated new ZFW was not 91;035 pounds but 118;468 pounds; re-dispatched flight on RLS03 with correct ZFW. Flight uneventful.
A320 Captain reports receiving a release after diverting with a substantial change in ZFW while almost no actual change occurred. Load planning is contacted and the correct ZFW; almost 29;000 pounds heavier; is supplied.