Engines died at gate?

[DP1]

Last night I co-piloted the 727-200 on a fairly uneventful flight. The only thing we did wrong was to select a RNav STAR which as it turned out wasn't too bad considering we were using steam gauges. I taxied the aircraft after landing & as the manual suggested cut the middle engine as it was going to be a long taxi & I wanted to be "thrifty" with gas (dunno why as it's free in FS anyway). So far so good.... when I stopped at the gate both remaining engines died! Although I would have killed them myself in a few seconds they should not have stopped by themselves. We had planty of fuel left so that's not an issue & the dump switches were not on. I don't think I had turned anything off at this point. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Jar172RG]

I know that I'm not answering DP's question, but has anyone tryied taxing in and out on number 2 only? I know a few airlines that would opreate the 27 in this way, I like it cause you can reduce the amount of time you take on cranking at the gate among other things and with number 2 supplying the bleed air for 1 and 3 after you get down there all you do is start 1 and 3 and reset the bleeds so 1 and 3 are supplying the packs and turn on the number 1 system A hydualic pump, since that system has only two engine driven pumps on 1 and 2 where as the B system's pumps are electric.

[Nick_Jacobs]

The most likely reason for this is the fuel system configuration you had selected at the time.

For example, if you were:

i) operating only engine nos 1 and 3;
ii) engine nos 1 and 3 were being supplied by tank no. 2 only;
iii) all cross feed valves open;
iv) fuel boost pumps on tank no. 2 only;

running out of fuel in tank no. 2 would result in loss of fuel supply to engine nos 1 and 3.

If you have any further problems, check the status of the cross feed valves, fuel boost pumps and fuel on board per tank and I can then confirm what the fuel system should be doing for that configuration.

Incorrect configuration of the fuel system is a common reason for unexpected loss of engine power.

Regards
Nick Jacobs
727 programming - Dreamfleet

[DP1]

Nick
From memory I had all boost pumps on & the X feeds were probably set with on & off (not sure now which ones were where?). There was fuel in all tanks but the outers were down to the high 100's lbs. Much more in tank 2. In this case I was co-piloting and didn't take too much notice when the pilot flying set up before departure. I only flew the approach end of things. Still it was fun. Thanks for your assistance.

DP

[Nick_Jacobs]

No problem - I hope that was some help. If it happens again, make a note of the entire fuel configuration (inc fuel on board), post it here and I'll be glad to check it against the fuel logic and report back.

Regards
Nick Jacobs
727 programming - Dreamfleet