B747 flight crew reports improper fuel load detected during preflight. Although the total fuel is correct it is not distributed correctly and the fueler is asked to correct it. After the fact it is discovered that transferring fuel with passengers aboard is not permitted with the fuel pump switches on in the cockpit.

Report 1 | Narrative: When fuel sheet was delivered to cockpit by the fueler we checked the fuel; but upon further scrutiny we noticed there was a discrepancy in the fuel loading location. Even though the fuel quantity was correct there was a 2;000 LB difference in the reserve tanks. We requested the fueler come back out. The fueler and supervisor came out; saw the error and went out to balance the fuel. While they did this we searched the manuals and found in the limits section a note which said not to transfer fuel on the ground with passengers loaded. It was too late; the fuel had already been transferred.

Report 2 | Narrative: Improper Fueling and Incorrect Fuel Service Form; Fuel Service Form provided says there is 8;700 LBS of fuel in reserve tank 3. There is only 6;400 LBS indicated in reserve tank 3. The same form says there is 102;600 LBS in the center tank. There is 105;300 LBS indicated in the center tank. This fuel loading fails to meet multiple provisions of the Flight Manual Limits section; represents an unknown CG and exposes the plane to a wing bending moment issue since reserve 3 is the furthest outboard fuel tank to resist wing bending at the very high takeoff weight planned.

Load planning only receives the total fuel on board from the fueler and does no weight and balance audit of fuel distribution or structural assessment for wing bending moment. They assume fuel is properly distributed. Pilots are denied the Boeing factory Recommended Fuel Distribution Table and all Weight and Balance Manual data except a CG table that does not comply with the factory Flight Manual Center of Gravity Limits chart for the service bulletin status of the aircraft.

A previous flight has been dispatched with the CG aft of the Limitations Section table and Load Planning says that the procedure of ignoring the Limits Section aft CG is OK.Fuel personnel appear in cockpit and speak in broken English and in their native tongue among themselves. We show them the fuel service form and actual gauge readings; too much fuel in the center tank and the reserve tank with too little fuel. They disappear. Soon they call on the interphone to see if the fuel is now OK. We look at fuel gauges and they have apparently transferred fuel from the center tank to reserve 3. Fuel on board distribution now matches the fuel service form.

In checking the limits section of the flight manual to see if all fuel procedures are in order we read that fuel transfer is NOT to be done with passengers on board and fuel pump switches on. Refueling personnel apparently transferred fuel from center to reserve tank 3 and fuel pump switches were on per pretakeoff prep procedures with all passengers on board.

Report 1 | Synopsis: B747 flight crew reports improper fuel load detected during preflight. Although the total fuel is correct it is not distributed correctly and the fueler is asked to correct it. After the fact it is discovered that transferring fuel with passengers aboard is not permitted with the fuel pump switches on in the cockpit.