Figure 1: Fuel system schematic Source: The Boeing Company Safety action Whether or not the ATSB identifies safety issues in the course of an investigation, relevant organisations may proactively initiate safety action in order to reduce their safety risk. The ATSB has been advised of the following proactive safety action in response to this occurrence. Operator Virgin Australia Airlines had previously established an inspection program for the crossfeed valves in accordance with Boeing recommendations. The operator also has a program in to replace existing crossfeed valves with the modified version at scheduled maintenance servicing. This program is currently under review for acceleration. Aircraft details Occurrence category: Incident Occurrence type: Operational - Fuel related Registration: VH-VOL Manufacturer and model: Boeing Company 737-8FE Type of operation: Air Transport High Capacity Persons on board: Crew 6 Passengers 171 – – Injuries: Crew Nil Passengers Nil – – Damage: None the ATSB The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is an independent Commonwealth Government statutory agency. The Bureau is governed by a Commission and is entirely separate from transport regulators, policy makers and service providers. The ATSB's function is to improve safety and public confidence in the aviation, marine and rail of transport through excellence in: independent investigation of transport accidents and other safety occurrences; safety data recording, analysis and research; and fostering safety awareness, knowledge and action. The ATSB is responsible for investigating accidents and transport safety matters involving civil aviation, marine and rail operations in Australia that fall within Commonwealth jurisdiction, as well as participating in overseas investigations involving Australian registered aircraft and ships. A primary concern is the safety of commercial transport, with particular regard to fare-paying passenger operations. The ATSB performs its functions in accordance with the provisions of the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003 and Regulations and, applicable, relevant international agreements.
Figure 1: Fuel system schematic Source: The Boeing Company Safety action Whether or not the ATSB identifies safety issues in the course of an investigation, relevant organisations may proactively initiate safety action in order to reduce their safety risk. The ATSB has been advised of the following proactive safety action in response to this occurrence. Operator Virgin Australia Airlines had previously established an inspection program for the crossfeed valves in accordance with Boeing recommendations. The operator also has a program in to replace existing crossfeed valves with the modified version at scheduled maintenance servicing. This program is currently under review for acceleration. Aircraft details Occurrence category: Incident Occurrence type: Operational - Fuel related Registration: VH-VOL Manufacturer and model: Boeing Company 737-8FE Type of operation: Air Transport High Capacity Persons on board: Crew – 6 Passengers – 171 Injuries: Crew – Nil Passengers – Nil Damage: None the ATSB The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is an independent Commonwealth Government statutory agency. The Bureau is governed by a Commission and is entirely separate from transport regulators, policy makers and service providers. The ATSB's function is to improve safety and public confidence in the aviation, marine and rail of transport through excellence in: independent investigation of transport accidents and other safety occurrences; safety data recording, analysis and research; and fostering safety awareness, knowledge and action. The ATSB is responsible for investigating accidents and transport safety matters involving civil aviation, marine and rail operations in Australia that fall within Commonwealth jurisdiction, as well as participating in overseas investigations involving Australian registered aircraft and ships. A primary concern is the safety of commercial transport, with particular regard to fare-paying passenger operations. The ATSB performs its functions in accordance with the provisions of the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003 and Regulations and, applicable, relevant international agreements.