Description 

On 27 July 2019, a Boeing 767-300 (VH-EXZ) being operated by Tasman Cargo Airlines on an international cargo flight from Auckland to Sydney was taxiing for departure when a fuel configuration advisory was annunciated. The crew decided there was no evidence of a fuel leak and continued the departure. Their intended in-flight re-balancing was then delayed until the applicable imbalance limits had been exceeded. The fault was not recorded after flight and the aircraft continued to operate with the operator’s maintenance organisation remaining unaware of the fault for several days.      

Investigation 

An Investigation was carried out by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). Relevant DFDR data from the aircraft was successfully downloaded and facilitated a meaningful review of the event. 

The Captain had a total of approximately 19,100 hours flying experience which included 176 hours on type and the First Officer had a total of approximately 9,000 hours flying experience which included 450 hours on type. They reported being well rested and were beginning a two sector day involving a return flight to Sydney. In the 90 days prior to the investigated flight, they had respectively flown about 55 and about 105 hours on type.