Ask the Captain: Do pilots eat airline food? What happens if an aircraft is overloaded with fuel?
An excuse that I’ve heard several times with ramp delays is: “The aircraft was overloaded with fuel!” I understand the weight and balance of the aircraft is critical. Does this really occur? I have never seen an aircraft offload a fuel load, what is the general procedure?
– John C., Glenshaw, Pennsylvania
Yes, it does occur. The fuel load is calculated on the anticipated number of passengers and cargo. If either changes the consequence is that the fuel load is too much. This is more frequent in the smaller regional jets than in larger jets.
Fuel can be offloaded, but this is rarely done. Usually freight or bags are offloaded until the required weight is achieved.
John Cox is a retired airline captain with US Airways and runs his own aviation safety consulting company, Safety Operating Systems.