Qantas flight low on fuel, reserves switched off
"....investigators found a 737 flying over Victoria appeared to be low on fuel before the pilot realised reserve fuel pump switches were off.
The bungle, which occurred on August 11 when the airliner was en route from Perth to Sydney, saw the Australian Transport Safety Bureau classify the fuel scare as a "serious incident", which remains under investigation.
An October 11 ATSB report on the fuel bungle stated: "The main fuel tanks were low on fuel and the investigation estimated there was about 100kg in each.
"The pilot in command observed the centre tank fuel pump switches on the forward overhead panel were selected to the 'off' position and he immediately selected them to the 'on' position."
The centre fuel tank held a reserve of 4700kg.
The crew discussed the problem and confirmed the reserves would get the aircraft safely to Sydney.
The 737-476, able to carry up to 150 passengers, was 50km northwest of Swan Hill - almost three hours into its flight - when the error was identified.
Qantas chief pilot Capt Chris Manning said the incident was taken "extremely seriously".
Mods please delete if this is old old news. It is todays newspaper.