Fuel Leak B777

[Scrubby]

QRH procedure requires engine shutdown once an engine fuel leak is confirmed.
Fuel Imbalance is not the issue as there is no limitation on the triple, any ideas on the reasoning behind this procedure?

[FCS Explorer]

fuel could be leaking on hot parts, especially on landing and/or during use of reverse etc....

like these guys: loose screw on retracting slats punctures wing tank and...

YouTube - INCENDIO FIRE BOEING 737 CHINA AIRLINES NAHA OKINAWA JAPAN 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qyZFASOAe0)

[Hey Driver]

Check out the FCTM.

"The NNC leads the crew through steps to determine if the fuel leak is from
the engine area. If an engine fuel leak is confirmed, the NNC directs the crew
to shutdown the affected engine. There are two reasons for the shutdown.
The first is to prevent loss of fuel which could result in a low fuel state. The
second reason is that the the potential is increased when fuel is leaking
around the engine. The risk of fire increases further when the thrust reverser
is used during landing. The thrust reverser significantly changes the flow of
air around the engine which can disperse fuel over a wider area."

Engine fuel leak confirmation may still be ambiguous. It the leak continues after engine shutdown the fuel leak will be upstream of the Fuel shut-off valves.

Shutting one engine down would be preferable to gliding into the Azores. Although a A330 this event lead to changes to Boeing's manuals.