A320 flight crew notes low engine oil quantity during climb and elects to return to departure airpor...

Attributes
ACN	791359
Time
Date	200806
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	airport : zzz.airport
State Reference	US
Altitude	msl single value : 15000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : zzz.artcc
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	A320
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	climbout : intermediate altitude
Route In Use	departure sid : n/a
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : first officer
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 280 flight time total : 12000 flight time type : 3741
ASRS Report	791359
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 240 flight time total : 17500 flight time type : 3200
ASRS Report	791364
Events
Anomaly	aircraft equipment problem : less severe maintenance problem : improper maintenance
Independent Detector	aircraft equipment other aircraft equipment : ecam other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	flight crew : declared emergency other
Factors
Maintenance	performance deficiency : fault isolation performance deficiency : repair
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Aircraft Maintenance Human Performance
Primary Problem	Ambiguous

Narrative:

During climb out at approximately 15000 ft; I noticed that the #2 engine oil quantity indicator was flashing indicating 3 quarts of oil. The oil pressure and temperature were both normal and we did not receive an ECAM. We declared an emergency and returned to ZZZ. On the return flight; the oil quantity went to 3.5 quarts; and then on base leg; returned to a normal quantity indication. There had been a previous write-up this same day stating 'the engine 2 oil quantity indication inoperative on engine ECAM system page. Oil pressure and temperature normal.' the action taken was 'replaced #2 engine oil quantity transmitter. Idle run engine and no leaks were found. Oil quantity indicator operates normal.' after landing; we taxied to the gate normally and had no further oil quantity indication problems. Both engines were shut down.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A320 FLT CREW NOTES LOW ENGINE OIL QUANTITY DURING CLIMB AND ELECTS TO RETURN TO DEPARTURE ARPT.

Narrative: DURING CLBOUT AT APPROX 15000 FT; I NOTICED THAT THE #2 ENG OIL QUANTITY INDICATOR WAS FLASHING INDICATING 3 QUARTS OF OIL. THE OIL PRESSURE AND TEMP WERE BOTH NORMAL AND WE DID NOT RECEIVE AN ECAM. WE DECLARED AN EMER AND RETURNED TO ZZZ. ON THE RETURN FLT; THE OIL QUANTITY WENT TO 3.5 QUARTS; AND THEN ON BASE LEG; RETURNED TO A NORMAL QUANTITY INDICATION. THERE HAD BEEN A PREVIOUS WRITE-UP THIS SAME DAY STATING 'THE ENG 2 OIL QUANTITY INDICATION INOP ON ENG ECAM SYS PAGE. OIL PRESSURE AND TEMP NORMAL.' THE ACTION TAKEN WAS 'REPLACED #2 ENG OIL QUANTITY XMITTER. IDLE RUN ENG AND NO LEAKS WERE FOUND. OIL QUANTITY INDICATOR OPERATES NORMAL.' AFTER LNDG; WE TAXIED TO THE GATE NORMALLY AND HAD NO FURTHER OIL QUANTITY INDICATION PROBS. BOTH ENGS WERE SHUT DOWN.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of May 2009 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.

A320 flight crew notes low engine oil quantity during climb and elects to return to departure airport.