Nav Log Reporting Incorrect Fuel Quantity?

[an-225]

Grrrr, I have had two flights downed because of the nav log.

It quoted 1300 gallons of fuel to get from Sydney to Hobart in the A321. I loaded it with about 2000, and took off...there was a reasonable tailwind helping me.

As I reached Tasmania, my engines both shut down, and I was out of fuel...I had to land on a beach.

I had the same thing happen just now on a flight from the Gold Coast to Sydney in the 737-800 - the navlog quoted 900 gallons, and I loaded the plane with 1600 gallons. Again, there was a tailwind helping me...

Gear down and locked, flaps 5, final approach to Rwy 16L at Sydney - engines run out of fuel. I crash in a suburban area...

Can anyone explain what is going on?

[Rich H]

In your flight planner, set your cruising altitude to the height which you will actually cruise at.

[an-225]

In your flight planner, set your cruising altitude to the height which you will actually cruise at.

I had it set for FL270 and FL280 for each flight...

[Fr. Bill]

There is still a problem in the flight planner's nav log calculations. The fuel calcs are only reporting ~50% of the actual fuel needed.  

[BFMF]

Never rely on the nav log for required fuel. The best thing to do is to do short-medium hops in your aircraft to get an idea what the fuel burn is going to be. Once you have it figured out yourself, you can more accurately plan longer flights

[TSC.]

Don't just rely on the nav log - have you kept an eye on your fuel burn throughout the flight?

TSC.