German Pilot Reports Insufficient Fuel Just after Takeoff

A Lufthansa Cityline Canadair CRJ-900 was operating flight LH1361 / DLH9LF from Katowice (Poland) to Frankfurt (Germany) when the crew stopped the climb and decided to return to Katowice due to insufficient fuel on board. The aircraft landed safely in Katowice and took off again 40 minutes later after being refueled. The airline reported that the fuel indicator was defective and showed the cockpit and ground crew said enough fuel was on board while on the ground but changed after becoming airborne.

The Fuel Indication Changed After Takeoff

The incident began with an indication problem rather than an actual discovery of an empty fuel tank on the ground. According to the contemporary report, the fuel indication had shown the cockpit and ground crew that enough fuel was present before departure. The indication changed after the aircraft became airborne.

Once the crew saw the insufficient-fuel indication during the climb, the decision was straightforward: stop the climb and return to the departure airport. The aircraft landed safely, was refuelled, and remained on the ground while maintenance examined the indication.

The airline later said the indicator had been temporarily defective. Maintenance checked the system after the return and again after the aircraft reached Frankfurt. The reported problem was therefore with the fuel indication, not confirmed fuel exhaustion.

During the climb the indication changed, leaving the crew with an insufficient-fuel indication. The aircraft stopped its climb and returned to Katowice, landing about 20 minutes after departure. It was then refuelled and remained on the ground for roughly 40 minutes.

The aircraft later continued to Frankfurt, showing that the event was resolved after refuelling and maintenance checks. No injury or crash is reported in the contemporary record.

The incident was therefore resolved by returning to the departure airport, refuelling and checking the aircraft. The contemporary record does not report a fuel exhaustion event, injury or loss of control.

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