Air carrier Captain reported hydraulic system failure and divert to a nearby suitable airport.
Synopsis
Air carrier Captain reported hydraulic system failure and divert to a nearby suitable airport.
Narrative
While on approach to ZZZ1 runway XY a HYD 3 LO PRESS caution message displayed after landing gear extension. The decision was made to break off the approach to run the QRH procedure. After positive climb rate; the gear handle was moved to the retract position and a Gear Disagree warning message followed. Performed QRH gear disagree; message cleared. Gear remained in the extended position with three green down indications. Instructions to land at nearest suitable. Performed QRH for HYD 3 LO PRESS caution less than 1800 psi. Qty was 45 press 0. Both system pumps indicated amber flow lines. QRH required flaps 20 landing with QRH landing distance of 5300ft. After a hold earlier in the flight the landing fuel at ZZZ1 was around 3400 lbs. Dispatch was sent an acars message indicating the HYD 3 LO PRESS; land nearest suitable. Vectors were given to the northeast while the procedures were being completed. No response was received from dispatch. The decision was made at that point to turn to ZZZ and land XXL. Taking under consideration the longer runway; straight in approach; multiple runways to not shut down airport ops at ZZZ1; crosswinds at both facilities. Fuel at landing was going to be near minimum fuel; and the option for a go-around if necessary in a gear down configuration would have been in the emergency fuel range. Also considering that an A/SKID FAULT status message appeared earlier in the flight indicating that the system's redundancy may have been compromised. The flight attendants were briefed on the nature of the flight with no need to evacuate and with special instructions to have everyone remain seated after we stopped on the runway as well as; the estimated time remaining in the flight. The passengers were briefed on the situation and what to expect for the remainder of the flight as well as after landing. After landing the aircraft was stopped on the runway and ARFF (Airport Fire and Rescue) performed inspections of the aircraft with emphasis on brake temperatures and leaking fluids. A tug was dispatched to tow the aircraft to the gate. After coordinating with ARFF; Dispatcher was contacted via phone. Dispatcher questioned why the decision was made to go to ZZZ Dispatcher stated understanding for the reason but pointed out that an R1 for the diversion was not sent. While being towed to the gate at XA:31 local time eight messages from dispatch until that point we had not received any messages via acars during the event. Until that point there was no received response from dispatch. Landing was at XA00 local. Fuel at landing was 2200lbs.No abnormal behavior was observed from the passengers while exiting the aircraft. All expressed understanding and appeared grateful. Maintenance personnel met the aircraft at the gate and noted leaking fluid under the aircraft. Hydraulic system failure on approach leading to go around and delay vectors in a gear down configuration. Intermittent or lack of ACARS signal inhibited coordination with dispatch. Contacting Dispatch via the RCO frequency would have provided the necessary communication link that would have helped in the situation given that the ACARS was not receiving.
Second reporter narrative
On departure from ZZZ2; at gear up; status message illuminates indicating Anti-Skid Fault. While running QRH; fault message extinguishes. No hydraulic or other anomalies noted. Next; near/over ZZZ3 we are issued an unexpected hold which uses additional fuel. We advise we can't hold more than 15 mins. Released from hold 15 to 20 min later.Sometime near this location; the flight attendants called us stating a varying squealing sound was being heard in the vicinity of row 13 that she attributed to possible feedback from a malfunctioning PA system. After landing and being towed to the gate; we relayed the flight attendants observation to a maintenance tech and they stated that the Hyd 3 pumps are near row 13. While inbound to ZZZ1 on ILS XY; 3 mi from FAF; at gear down; a HYD 3 LO PRESS caution message was displayed. Decision was made to go around and run the QRH procedure. After positive climb rate; the gear handle was moved to the retract position and a Gear Disagree warning message followed. Performed QRH gear disagree; gear lever selected down and the message cleared. Gear remained in the extended position with three green down indications. QRH Instructions to land at nearest suitable. Performed QRH for HYD 3 LO PRESS caution with less than 1800 psi. Qty was 45%; press was 0. Both system pumps indicated amber flow lines and zero hydraulic pressure. QRH required flaps 20 landing with QRH landing distance of 5300ft. After the unplanned hold earlier in the flight; the landing fuel at ZZZ1 was approximately 3400 lbs. Dispatch was sent an ACARS message indicating the HYD 3 LO PRESS; with land at nearest suitable airport. Vectors were given to the Northeast while the procedures were being completed. No response was received from dispatch. The decision was made at that point to turn to ZZZ and land XXL. Taking into consideration the longer runway; straight in approach; multiple runways to not shut down airport ops at ZZZ1; crosswinds at both facilities. Also considering that an A/SKID FAULT status message appeared earlier in the flight indicating that the system's redundancy may have been compromised which could result in a longer landing distance than the QRH indicated.The flight attendants were briefed on the nature of the flight with no need to evacuate and with special instructions to have everyone remain seated after we stopped on the runway as well as; the estimated time remaining in the flight. The passengers were briefed on the situation and what to expect for the remainder of the flight as well as after landing.Tower was notified that we had limited braking action and no steering and we would be stopping on the runway and requested ARFF (Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting) to meet us. After landing the aircraft was stopped on the runway and ARFF preformed inspections of the aircraft with emphasis on brake temperatures and leaking fluids. A tug was dispatched to tow the aircraft to the gate. After coordinating with ARFF; dispatcher was contacted via phone. Dispatcher questioned why the decision was made to go to ZZZ. Dispatcher stated understanding for the reason but pointed out that an R1 for the diversion was not sent. While being towed to the gate at XA:31 local time eight messages from dispatch until that point we had not received any messages via acars during the event. Until that point there was no received response from dispatch. Landing was at 1500 local. Fuel at landing was 2200lbs.No abnormal behavior was observed from the passengers while exiting the aircraft. All expressed understanding and appeared grateful. Maintenance personnel met the aircraft at the gate and noted leaking fluid under the aircraft. Cause: Hydraulic system failure on approach leading to go around and delay vectors in a gear down configuration. Intermittent or lack of ACARS signal inhibited coordination with dispatch.Suggestions: This was not an event that could have been prevented. We weighed all our options and given the failures; possible conditions that could have further affected the calculated landing distance (including gear down fuel flow rates not accounted for in timing of minimum/emergency fuel declarations) and possible braking degradation above and beyond the known loss of inboard brakes (ie possible degradation of anti-skid system) the election to land on the longer runways at ZZZ was the more conservative choice.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.