MD80 diverts to the nearest suitable airport following an engine start valve open anomaly.

Attributes
ACN	816077
Time
Date	200812
Local Time Of Day	1801 To 2400
Place
Locale Reference	airport : zzz.airport
State Reference	US
Altitude	msl single value : 35000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : zzz.artcc tower : zzz.tower
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	MD-80 Series (DC-9-80) Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	cruise : level
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : flight engineer pilot : atp
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 150 flight time total : 21000 flight time type : 14000
ASRS Report	816077
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : first officer
Qualification	pilot : multi engine pilot : instrument pilot : flight engineer pilot : atp pilot : cfi pilot : commercial
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 225 flight time total : 11600 flight time type : 6000
ASRS Report	816079
Events
Anomaly	aircraft equipment problem : less severe
Independent Detector	aircraft equipment other aircraft equipment : start valve open light other flight crewa other flight crewb
Resolutory Action	flight crew : diverted to another airport flight crew : landed in emergency condition
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Aircraft
Primary Problem	Aircraft

Narrative:

During cruise flight at FL350; the right engine start valve open light came on and then continued to flash or flicker. All other engine parameters were normal. The quick reference handbook procedures were accomplished. I then declared an emergency with ATC and requested an immediate descent. Communications were established with dispatch and maintenance. After our analysis of the situation; I decided to divert. Arff inspected the aircraft after an uneventful approach and landing. No threat to safety was detected. We then parked normally at the gate.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: MD80 diverts to the nearest suitable airport following an engine start valve open anomaly.

Narrative: During cruise flight at FL350; the right engine start valve open light came on and then continued to flash or flicker. All other engine parameters were normal. The Quick Reference Handbook procedures were accomplished. I then declared an emergency with ATC and requested an immediate descent. Communications were established with Dispatch and Maintenance. After our analysis of the situation; I decided to divert. ARFF inspected the aircraft after an uneventful approach and landing. No threat to safety was detected. We then parked normally at the gate.

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.