AN MU2 ATX PLT CONTINUED TO DEST ARPT; ATL; AT NIGHT AFTER HIS L ENG FAILS AT 17000 FT. HE HAD CONSIDERED A DIVERSION TO BHM BUT HIS OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS ALTERED THAT PLAN. IN ATL HE HAD MISGIVINGS RELATED TO HIS FLT PLANNING.

Narrative

AT ABOUT AB40 ON THE NIGHT OF OCT/XA/97; I WAS IN CRUISE FLT AT 17000 FT ENRTE FROM MEM TO ATL IN AN ATX MU2 WITH CARGO. I EXPERIENCED ENG FAILURE OF MY #1 (L) ENG. AS I BEGAN TO SECURE THE ENG AND ASSESS MY SIT; I ADVISED CTR OF MY PREDICAMENT. I BEGAN TO LOSE SOME ALT AND CTR ASKED IF I WANTED TO DECLARE AN EMER. I DECLINED BUT SAID I WANTED TO PROCEED TOWARD BIRMINGHAM. CTR CLRED ME TO A LOWER ALT. BY THE TIME I DSNDED TO 13000 FT; I GOT THE ACFT CLEANED UP AND FOUND I COULD MAINTAIN ALT EASILY. AS I GOT CLOSER TO BIRMINGHAM I BEGAN TO RECONSIDER MY OPTIONS. BIRMINGHAM IS IN HILLY TO MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND ATL; BEING FLATTER WITH LONGER RWYS; NOT TO MENTION BEING MY ORIGINAL DEST WITH THE ACFT PERFORMING WELL ON 1 ENG; I REASONED I COULD PROCEED SAFELY TO ATL. AFTER ADVISING CTR OF MY INTENTIONS; THAT IS WHAT I DID; ARRIVING IN ATL WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. AS I REVIEW MY DECISIONS AND ACTIONS; I NOW BELIEVE I MADE AT LEAST 2 ERRORS IN JUDGEMENT. FIRST I SHOULD HAVE DECLARED AN EMER RIGHT AWAY. I SHOULD HAVE LANDED AT BIRMINGHAM INSTEAD OF PRESSING ON TO ATL. IF SOMETHING ELSE HAD GONE WRONG BTWN BHM AND ATL; I COULD HAVE BECOME A VICTIM OF GET THEREITIS.