You get a oil pressure light....

jtrain609 said:
Land.

But consider that I think the Beagle pilots that did a touch and go with their gear up thought the same thing; we've got three green, but a weird EICAS message, but if we've got three green the gear HAS to be down. We're almost on the ground, so let's just go ahead and land, and then figure this out on the ground.

This was the result:
[picture removed for brevity..]

So while I agree, land in this situation, the above situation with Beagle show that Marshall is incredibly correct; there are a lot of factors going into this decision, and it's not just a simple "Well no crap I'd land!" or "Well no crap I'd go around!" type of issue.
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I don't really think this is the same situation. A low oil pressure light on an engine doesn't necessarily signal imminent failure. The difference between a potential landing gear malfunction with two good engines vs a potentially low oil level in an engine really aren't in the same ballpark.

The Eagle 'scrape and go' incident was an entirely freak event- the LGEU gave the crew a series of conflicting indications that didn't make real sense and weren't covered by the checklist. They went by what they were able to deduce from the sound, feel, and performance of the aircraft. (Then JetBlue sat there and watched them do it and said nothing. Derp.)

That said, a potential landing gear malfunction warrants a second look because well, you're really about to need those gear. An engine with low oil on short final? Short final I'm at low thrust to begin with. Reduce thrust to idle and compensate with the good motor, and land. Even an idle engine puts out a fair amount of thrust.

I'm with CaptBill. Idle thrust on the low oil motor, compensate with the other (if even needed) and land. If I really need the other engine, I'm going to use it.

Take it to the next step- What if one engine fails short final? You're landing assured- would you go around?

I think the hidden question here is how this will affect stopping distance. Once again, if the engine's still running, no biggie. Even if it fails, the electric backup hydraulic pump will keep the hydraulics going for the brakes. So once again, who cares?
 
I'm not saying it's the same situation, I'm saying that situations that look like they have an "obvious" answer don't always have an obvious answer.

Or said another way, don't just say "We're almost on the ground, we'll deal with it there." Think through problems, make sure you're coming to the right solution.
 
jtrain609 said:
I'm not saying it's the same situation, I'm saying that situations that look like they have an "obvious" answer don't always have an obvious answer.

Or said another way, don't just say "We're almost on the ground, we'll deal with it there." Think through problems, make sure you're coming to the right solution.
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Ahhh.. Now I follow ya. Good point.

That said, for a powerplant problem, if I still had directional control, I'd still land.
 
Result: Crew opted to land and the engine never failed inflight.

The engine ended up being toast even though the crew shut the engine down right after landing.

Best place to be is on the ground when something like this happens.
 
While I agree with jtrain that you can't just automatically say "we'll deal with it on the ground," I'm going to say with a powerplant issue, on short final, the place to be is on the ground.
 
LAND! If it's a gear issue look at your power setting and pull one of your ears off the ANR buds. If you can't figure out the gear is down you are VERY unfamiliar with the A/C.

I like the mindset I was told when I started flying jets.. "Worst case it melts off the airframe".
 
higney85 said:
LAND! If it's a gear issue look at your power setting and pull one of your ears off the ANR buds. If you can't figure out the gear is down you are VERY unfamiliar with the A/C.

I like the mindset I was told when I started flying jets.. "Worst case it melts off the airframe".
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Couldn't have said it better Kenny, LAND THE PLANE!
 
higney85 said:
LAND! If it's a gear issue look at your power setting and pull one of your ears off the ANR buds. If you can't figure out the gear is down you are VERY unfamiliar with the A/C.

I like the mindset I was told when I started flying jets.. "Worst case it melts off the airframe".
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:yeahthat:

"Hey, we lost an engine!" "Bloody nuisance, chaps!"
 
turbomax97 said:
Result: Crew opted to land and the engine never failed inflight.

The engine ended up being toast even though the crew shut the engine down right after landing.

Best place to be is on the ground when something like this happens.
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Exactly. Melty engine > melty, burning airframe and crispy crew.
 
I don't know about jets, but if its in a reciprocating airplane with just an oil pressure light on short final and no other indications of immediately impending doom, I think that generally you shouldn't do anything but land. Be ready for the yaw if it suddenly stops in the next few seconds. Worst case scenario it starts burning. Still not much to do but maintain a stable approach and shut the fuel off. And then it its still lit, get the hell out after you've touched down. :laff:
 
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