If wing tanks have unequal fuel, what is a primary corrective action a flight crew can perform?

• A. Increase lift by altering flaps.
• B. Reduce air conditioning to save fuel.
• C. Transfer fuel between wings or adjust crossfeed to restore balance.
• D. Turn off one engine.

Answer: (C)

When fuel is heavier on one wing, the airplane tends to roll toward that wing because the extra weight creates a lateral imbalance. The primary corrective action is to move fuel from the heavier wing to the lighter wing using the crossfeed system. Transferring fuel between wings directly restores lateral balance and keeps the aircraft’s center of gravity within safe limits, preserving stable handling and ensuring each engine continues to receive appropriate fuel flow.

Other options don’t address the imbalance: changing flap settings changes lift, not weight distribution; reducing air conditioning doesn’t affect fuel on the wings; and turning off an engine would create asymmetric thrust and dangerous handling rather than correct the imbalance.