MD11 flight crew experiences an air system 3 low pressure alert while being vectored for approach. A...

Attributes
ACN	1140450
Time
Date	201401
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	EWR.Airport
State Reference	NJ
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	MD-11
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Route In Use	Vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Turbine Engine
Person 1
Function	Pilot Not Flying First Officer
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 140 Flight Crew Total 9225 Flight Crew Type 4825
Person 2
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 109 Flight Crew Total 9700 Flight Crew Type 830
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence

Narrative:

While being vectored to final during the dogleg we received a level 2 'air system pressure 3 lo' alert. I began to secure air system 3 using our QRH. During this time we noticed a 'confirm engine out/clear' prompt on our mcdu. I asked the captain if he had split the throttles for some reason and he replied 'no.' I selected 'clear.' shortly after we then received a level 2 'engine 3 RPM lo' alert as we rolled out on approximately 8 mile final. We then initiated the QRH checklist then upon reaching the FAF the captain elected to finish configuring. The runway was in sight; aircraft was stable; and the captain left the throttle in idle (still producing power) and landed uneventfully. After clearing the runway the captain elected to secure the number 3 engine. Taxi was uneventful. There were many factors in play during this approach. Newark was just finishing a strong blizzard; jfk and other area airports (we had heard) were closed so rather than going back into the weather we elected to land. In hindsight; since we had enough fuel we probably should have been vectored back out for another approach; declare an emergency and verify we had run all appropriate checklists.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: MD11 flight crew experiences an Air System 3 low pressure alert while being vectored for approach. A few minutes later an Engine 3 low RPM alert is displayed. The Low RPM Checklist is initiated by the First officer; but the Captain elects to complete the Landing Checklist and land before completing the Low RPM Checklist.

Narrative: While being vectored to final during the dogleg we received a Level 2 'Air System Pressure 3 Lo' alert. I began to secure air system 3 using our QRH. During this time we noticed a 'Confirm Engine Out/Clear' prompt on our MCDU. I asked the Captain if he had split the throttles for some reason and he replied 'no.' I selected 'clear.' Shortly after we then received a Level 2 'Engine 3 RPM Lo' alert as we rolled out on approximately 8 mile final. We then initiated the QRH checklist then upon reaching the FAF the Captain elected to finish configuring. The runway was in sight; aircraft was stable; and the Captain left the throttle in idle (still producing power) and landed uneventfully. After clearing the runway the Captain elected to secure the Number 3 Engine. Taxi was uneventful. There were many factors in play during this approach. Newark was just finishing a strong blizzard; JFK and other area airports (we had heard) were closed so rather than going back into the weather we elected to land. In hindsight; since we had enough fuel we probably should have been vectored back out for another approach; declare an emergency and verify we had run all appropriate checklists.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.