A DHC8-100's oil pressure became erratic and eventually the pressure dropped into the oil pressure g...

Narrative:

Cruise flight at 14;000 ft. The captain noticed the #1 oil pressure gauge started fluctuating back and forth. Eventually it fluctuated enough to sporadically set off the #1 oil pressure warning light. We brought the power lever back to flight idle to see if it would stabilize. The oil pressure seemed to stabilize just above the red line for a brief moment. Moments later we noticed the pressure fall into the red. At that time we decided to shut down the #1 engine and declare an emergency with ATC. We then diverted to ZZZ; called company and made sure the flight attendant and cabin was informed on what was happening. ATC proceeded to gave us a heading to fly to intercept the localize. Weather was good enough to pick up the field approximately 10 miles out; we proceeded in for the visual. The event occurred because of a mechanical malfunction. Once the event was identified the captain and myself discussed issues pertaining to a possible gauge malfunction; to an actual engine problem. We also discussed where we would land in the event we needed to divert. After completing the engine oil warning light emergency checklist; we determined the engine needed to be shutdown. We proceeded with the immediate engine shutdown procedures and then ran the appropriate checklist.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A DHC8-100's oil pressure became erratic and eventually the pressure dropped into the oil pressure gauge Red Zone. The engine was shutdown; an emergency declared and the flight diverted to an enroute airport.

Narrative: Cruise flight at 14;000 FT. The Captain noticed the #1 oil pressure gauge started fluctuating back and forth. Eventually it fluctuated enough to sporadically set off the #1 oil pressure warning light. We brought the power lever back to flight idle to see if it would stabilize. The oil pressure seemed to stabilize just above the red line for a brief moment. Moments later we noticed the pressure fall into the red. At that time we decided to shut down the #1 engine and declare an emergency with ATC. We then diverted to ZZZ; called company and made sure the Flight Attendant and cabin was informed on what was happening. ATC proceeded to gave us a heading to fly to intercept the localize. Weather was good enough to pick up the field approximately 10 miles out; we proceeded in for the visual. The event occurred because of a mechanical malfunction. Once the event was identified the captain and myself discussed issues pertaining to a possible gauge malfunction; to an actual engine problem. We also discussed where we would land in the event we needed to divert. After completing the engine oil warning light emergency checklist; we determined the engine needed to be shutdown. We proceeded with the immediate engine shutdown procedures and then ran the appropriate checklist.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.

Attributes
ACN	899048
Time
Date	201007
Local Time Of Day	0001-0600
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Dawn
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Dash 8 Series Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Powerplant Lubrication System
Person 1
Function	Pilot Not Flying First Officer
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 270 Flight Crew Total 5300 Flight Crew Type 5000
Person 2
Function	Pilot Flying Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical

A DHC8-100's oil pressure became erratic and eventually the pressure dropped into the oil pressure gauge red zone. The engine was shutdown; an emergency declared and the flight diverted to an enroute airport.