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B777 flight crew reported loss of oil quantity and pressure in left engine. After consulting with maintenance and dispatch the engine was shut down; and emergency declared; and the flight returned to departure airport.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1129359 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201311 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.ARTCC |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | B777 Undifferentiated or Other Model |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Turbine Engine |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Captain Pilot Not Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200 Flight Crew Total 18000 Flight Crew Type 8000 |
| Person 2 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying First Officer |
| Experience | Flight Crew Total 20000 Flight Crew Type 7000 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical |
Narrative:
About 45 min into flight while cruising at FL350 we noticed the left engine oil quantity at 6 and decreasing. I initiated a satcom call with maintenance and asked that dispatch be brought into the call. While talking with the engine expert the oil quantity decreased to zero and the oil pressure dropped extremely low. We jointly decided that an engine shutdown and return to [departure airport] was the best course of action. I called the cabin at door 1L; gave them a brief explanation and asked that the relief pilot and lead flight attendant come to the cockpit. We obtained a clearance to FL220 [and direct to departure airport]. While turning we shut down the left engine per the eng oil press left checklist; established drift down to FL220 and briefed the lead flight attendant (no evacuation prep required). We then coordinated fuel dumping with ATC and dumped fuel to our max landing weight. I made an announcement to the passengers explaining the situation; telling them that they should expect a normal landing because 'this is what we train for'. We then had to complete the fuel imbalance checklist (which is absurdly long and wordy). On initial contact with center we declared an emergency with approach control [and] we confirmed emergency equipment standing by. I flew a visual/ILS for a 20 flap landing. Normal landing and rollout. After clearing the [runway] the fire department looked over the aircraft and cleared us to continue taxi.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: B777 flight crew reported loss of oil quantity and pressure in left engine. After consulting with Maintenance and Dispatch the engine was shut down; and emergency declared; and the flight returned to departure airport.
Narrative: About 45 min into flight while cruising at FL350 we noticed the L engine oil quantity at 6 and decreasing. I initiated a SATCOM call with Maintenance and asked that Dispatch be brought into the call. While talking with the engine expert the oil quantity decreased to zero and the oil pressure dropped extremely low. We jointly decided that an engine shutdown and return to [departure airport] was the best course of action. I called the cabin at door 1L; gave them a brief explanation and asked that the relief pilot and Lead Flight Attendant come to the cockpit. We obtained a clearance to FL220 [and direct to departure airport]. While turning we shut down the L engine per the Eng Oil Press L Checklist; established drift down to FL220 and briefed the Lead Flight Attendant (no evacuation prep required). We then coordinated fuel dumping with ATC and dumped fuel to our max landing weight. I made an announcement to the passengers explaining the situation; telling them that they should expect a normal landing because 'this is what we train for'. We then had to complete the Fuel Imbalance checklist (which is absurdly long and wordy). On initial contact with Center we declared an emergency with Approach Control [and] we confirmed emergency equipment standing by. I flew a Visual/ILS for a 20 flap landing. Normal landing and rollout. After clearing the [runway] the Fire Department looked over the aircraft and cleared us to continue taxi.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 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.