A MD88 first officer reported that the left engine hydraulic pump failed in flight. An emergency was...

Narrative:

On the arrival; we received a left hydraulic pressure low message on the overhead annunciator panel. We noticed our hydraulic quantities were; both systems; indicating 12 quarts which is the normal system operating quantity. The system pressure on the left side had dropped to '0' while the right side indicated a normal indication of 3000 psi. The QRH was referenced and abnormal checklists completed upon determining our left engine hydraulic pump had failed. An emergency was declared with approach after considering all available runway lengths; winds and known arrival factors (i.e. System failures - inboard spoilers; left thrust reverser; and autoland/autobrakes) our destination was changed to an airport with a longer runway. We decided as a crew that the nearby international airport would be a more suitable field for this type of emergency situation (maintenance; passenger support; ground ops; airport rescue and fire fighting capabilities and distance from our present position.) all checklists were completed; dispatch and maintenance were notified and coordinated our diversion; flight attendants and passengers were briefed and a normal descent and landing occurred. Airport rescue and fire fighting was consulted upon landing. The aircraft was fit to taxi to the gate and we were cleared to continue to the gate. We were met by ground support staff and passengers were accommodated - in my opinion the captain and I did a textbook job of handling an abnormal situation and was supported by excellent ATC; airport rescue and fire fighting and ground handling personnel.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A MD88 First Officer reported that the left engine hydraulic pump failed in flight. An emergency was declared and the flight diverted to a nearby airport with a long runway and better handling facilities.

Narrative: On the arrival; we received a Left Hydraulic Pressure Low message on the overhead annunciator panel. We noticed our hydraulic quantities were; both systems; indicating 12 quarts which is the normal system operating quantity. The system pressure on the left side had dropped to '0' while the right side indicated a normal indication of 3000 PSI. The QRH was referenced and abnormal checklists completed upon determining our left engine hydraulic pump had failed. An emergency was declared with Approach after considering all available runway lengths; winds and known arrival factors (i.e. system failures - inboard spoilers; left thrust reverser; and autoland/autobrakes) our destination was changed to an airport with a longer runway. We decided as a crew that the nearby international airport would be a more suitable field for this type of emergency situation (Maintenance; passenger support; ground ops; Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting capabilities and distance from our present position.) All checklists were completed; Dispatch and Maintenance were notified and coordinated our diversion; Flight Attendants and passengers were briefed and a normal descent and landing occurred. Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting was consulted upon landing. The aircraft was fit to taxi to the gate and we were cleared to continue to the gate. We were met by ground support staff and passengers were accommodated - in my opinion the Captain and I did a textbook job of handling an abnormal situation and was supported by excellent ATC; Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting and ground handling personnel.

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	892901
Time
Date	201006
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	MD-88
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Descent
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Hydraulic System Pump
Person 1
Function	Pilot Not Flying First Officer
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 186 Flight Crew Total 8000 Flight Crew Type 1263
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical

A MD88 first officer reported that the left engine hydraulic pump failed in flight. An emergency was declared and the flight diverted to a nearby airport with a long runway and better handling facilities.