Narrative:

During descent; with the power just above idle descending through 11;000 ft; the number one engine compressor stalled and rolled back. There were associated loud bangs; vibration; and aircraft yaw. My first officer was the pilot flying. We identified the failed engine and complied with the memory items in accordance with the QRH 'engine fire/severe damage/separation/seizure' 'one engine inoperative landing' checklist. We contacted dispatch and advised them of our situation. We briefed the flight attendants and made a P.a. To the passengers. We determined the safest course of action was to divert to [a nearby airport] for a straight in approach to a longer runway. We reviewed the approach plates; obtained the current ATIS; and calculated the landing performance. We were vectored to a 15 mile final as we completed the remainder of the 'one engine inoperative landing' checklist. First officer transferred control of the aircraft to me for the single engine landing. We cleared the runway [and] parked for an inspection. After being cleared; we contacted dispatch by phone to coordinate a gate where we could park and offload the passengers. After approximately 25 minutes; we were cleared to taxi to [the] gate. We also coordinated with customer service. The passengers were advised to proceed to baggage claim for their bags and to coordinate transportation. I was in contact with dispatch; the sod; the chief; maintenance and customer service. We made an aircraft logbook discrepancy entry; complied with the aircraft shutdown checklist; and shut the cabin door before pulling the jetway back.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A B737-500 flight crew reported #1 engine failure on descent. Engine was shut down; an emergency declared; and the flight diverted to a nearby airport with longer runways available.

Narrative: During descent; with the power just above idle descending through 11;000 ft; the number one engine compressor stalled and rolled back. There were associated loud bangs; vibration; and aircraft yaw. My First Officer was the Pilot Flying. We identified the failed engine and complied with the memory items in accordance with the QRH 'Engine Fire/Severe Damage/Separation/Seizure' 'One Engine Inoperative Landing' Checklist. We contacted Dispatch and advised them of our situation. We briefed the Flight Attendants and made a P.A. to the passengers. We determined the safest course of action was to divert to [a nearby airport] for a straight in approach to a longer runway. We reviewed the approach plates; obtained the current ATIS; and calculated the landing performance. We were vectored to a 15 mile final as we completed the remainder of the 'One Engine Inoperative Landing' checklist. First Officer transferred control of the aircraft to me for the single engine landing. We cleared the runway [and] parked for an inspection. After being cleared; we contacted Dispatch by phone to coordinate a gate where we could park and offload the passengers. After approximately 25 minutes; we were cleared to taxi to [the] gate. We also coordinated with Customer Service. The passengers were advised to proceed to baggage claim for their bags and to coordinate transportation. I was in contact with Dispatch; the SOD; the Chief; Maintenance and Customer Service. We made an aircraft logbook discrepancy entry; complied with the Aircraft Shutdown Checklist; and shut the cabin door before pulling the jetway back.

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.