Narrative:

All ground ops through climbout were normal. Right around top of climb; the first engine display message appeared; 'hydraulic #3 elev off' (level 1 message). Upon checking the hydraulics synoptic; we confirmed the above and noticed the hydraulic quality was decreasing rapidly. I believe we started with 8.7 gallons in the #3 system on the ground and at the time of the message it had decreased to 7.8 gallons. Approximately 5 minutes later; it had decreased down to 2.5 gallons. Once the quantity reached 2.5 gallons; we received the 2nd message; 'hydraulic #3 off' (level 1 message). We immediately made a satcom call to dispatch and maintenance control to discuss the problem. We decided to continue the route of flight to ZZZ and deal with it there. ZZZ weather was ceilings at 1300 feet with 3 miles visibility with calm winds. Throughout the flight; we were in contact with dispatch updating our progress and asked to pass on info to center and ZZZ ops. We knew we were going to need time and maneuvering room to configure the jet for landing and then get towed from the taxiway to the ramp. While configuring the jet for landing; we received a 3rd message; 'hydraulic #3 fail' (level 2 message). Manual gear extension was accomplished and slats/flaps did extend to the flaps 35 position with the other available hydraulic system(s). Landing was uneventful. ZZZ crash/rescue responded to the incident and followed us to the taxiway. We shut the jet down there and were towed back to the ramp due to the limited nosewheel steering available when turning right. After a normal shutdown and secure; a fire department representative notified us that there was a hydraulic fluid spill in the vicinity of the where we parked on the taxiway that required a cleanup crew. Dispatch did a great job of keeping everyone informed in the airport area so there were no surprises to anyone out there when we showed up. Center/TRACON did a great job of getting us in with adequate time to configure with minimal communication drills and maintenance was standing ready at the intersection for the tow back. We believe we did everything appropriately; safely; conservatively; and accurately for our situation.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: MD-11 flight crew reported they lost the #3 hydraulic system during flight.

Narrative: All ground ops through climbout were normal. Right around Top of Climb; the first Engine Display message appeared; 'HYD #3 ELEV OFF' (Level 1 Message). Upon checking the hydraulics synoptic; we confirmed the above and noticed the hydraulic quality was decreasing rapidly. I believe we started with 8.7 gallons in the #3 system on the ground and at the time of the message it had decreased to 7.8 gallons. Approximately 5 minutes later; it had decreased down to 2.5 gallons. Once the quantity reached 2.5 gallons; we received the 2nd message; 'HYD #3 OFF' (Level 1 Message). We immediately made a SATCOM call to Dispatch and Maintenance Control to discuss the problem. We decided to continue the route of flight to ZZZ and deal with it there. ZZZ weather was ceilings at 1300 feet with 3 miles visibility with calm winds. Throughout the flight; we were in contact with Dispatch updating our progress and asked to pass on info to Center and ZZZ Ops. We knew we were going to need time and maneuvering room to configure the jet for landing and then get towed from the taxiway to the ramp. While configuring the jet for landing; we received a 3rd message; 'HYD #3 FAIL' (Level 2 Message). Manual Gear Extension was accomplished and Slats/Flaps did extend to the flaps 35 position with the other available hydraulic system(s). Landing was uneventful. ZZZ Crash/Rescue responded to the incident and followed us to the taxiway. We shut the jet down there and were towed back to the ramp due to the limited nosewheel steering available when turning right. After a normal shutdown and secure; a Fire Department representative notified us that there was a hydraulic fluid spill in the vicinity of the where we parked on the taxiway that required a cleanup crew. Dispatch did a great job of keeping everyone informed in the airport area so there were no surprises to anyone out there when we showed up. Center/TRACON did a great job of getting us in with adequate time to configure with minimal communication drills and Maintenance was standing ready at the intersection for the tow back. We believe we did everything appropriately; safely; conservatively; and accurately for our situation.

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.