A B757-200 flight crew noticed low oil pressure on the #1 engine. All other parameters were normal; ...

Narrative:

While level at fl 370; we noticed a flickering #1 engine low oil pressure light; accompanied by the loss of #1 engine oil quantity. The oil pressure was within limits; the engine was operating and producing equal thrust with the #2 engine. No abnormalities could be seen visually from the cabin; nor were there any abnormal vibrations from either engine. We advised ATC of our problem and requested a lower altitude. As a precaution I reduced the left engine thrust to idle. We reviewed the appropriate procedure; and had it standing by if the situation deteriorated further. We contacted dispatch who conferenced with maintenance. After lengthy consultation with maintenance and my crew; I made the decision to leave the left engine at idle until after landing; assuming all parameters were within limits. Maintenance concurred with this decision. After adequate discussion of landing fields; we decided ZZZ would be our safest course of action. Utilizing captain's authority; I declared an emergency with ATC and requested direct routing to ZZZ airport. Given the wind conditions; we requested and were cleared to land on [runway xxl]. Prior to landing we reviewed all single engine procedures as a precaution. The landing was uneventful; and we shut down the left engine after landing. Emergency vehicles inspected our aircraft; with particular attention to the left engine; and gave us the all clear. They followed us to our gate at which time we canceled the emergency.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A B757-200 flight crew noticed low oil pressure on the #1 engine. All other parameters were normal; and after consulting with Dispatch and Maintenance; they declared an emergency; and diverted to the nearest suitable airport while operating the engine at idle thrust.

Narrative: While level at FL 370; we noticed a flickering #1 engine low oil pressure light; accompanied by the loss of #1 engine oil quantity. The oil pressure was within limits; the engine was operating and producing equal thrust with the #2 engine. No abnormalities could be seen visually from the cabin; nor were there any abnormal vibrations from either engine. We advised ATC of our problem and requested a lower altitude. As a precaution I reduced the left engine thrust to idle. We reviewed the appropriate procedure; and had it standing by if the situation deteriorated further. We contacted Dispatch who conferenced with Maintenance. After lengthy consultation with Maintenance and my crew; I made the decision to leave the left engine at idle until after landing; assuming all parameters were within limits. Maintenance concurred with this decision. After adequate discussion of landing fields; we decided ZZZ would be our safest course of action. Utilizing Captain's Authority; I declared an emergency with ATC and requested direct routing to ZZZ airport. Given the wind conditions; we requested and were cleared to land on [Runway XXL]. Prior to landing we reviewed all single engine procedures as a precaution. The landing was uneventful; and we shut down the left engine after landing. Emergency vehicles inspected our aircraft; with particular attention to the left engine; and gave us the all clear. They followed us to our gate at which time we canceled the emergency.

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	925684
Time
Date	201012
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	US
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B757-200
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Turbine Engine
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 180 Flight Crew Total 14000 Flight Crew Type 1500
Person 2
Function	First Officer Pilot Not Flying
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 210 Flight Crew Total 11000 Flight Crew Type 5600
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical

A B757-200 flight crew noticed low oil pressure on the #1 engine. All other parameters were normal; and after consulting with dispatch and maintenance; they declared an emergency; and diverted to the nearest suitable airport while operating the engine at idle thrust.