A320 flight crew experience blue hydraulic system fluid loss at 1;000 FT on final approach. ECAM actions are accomplished and flight lands normally.
Synopsis
A320 flight crew experience blue hydraulic system fluid loss at 1;000 FT on final approach. ECAM actions are accomplished and flight lands normally.
Narrative
Up until this point; normal approach and landing; short final at 1;000 FT AGL when the ECAM's flickered on and off indicating a potential issue. Discuss if this was an anomaly or not and saw other indications that we had lost hydraulic fluid in the blue system. I turned off the blue hydraulic pump and status page showed loss of both number 3 spoilers. Quickly discussed implications; went through pages and reported ECAM complete. First Officer on top of situation and concurred with me when I made decision and stated we should continue to land rather than go-around. Runway was very long with a 19 knot head wind; so landing distance was not a factor. Maintenance met aircraft and discussed situation. Maintenance notified us blue system had a severe leak in left wheel well. System still had fluid in blue system after engine shutdown. On preflight; both Captain and First Officer verified all systems and fluid level were normal include the blue system. First Officer did not note any issues on walk around prior to departure.
Second reporter narrative
Normal VFR approach and landing. At approximately 1;000 feet AFE ECAM sounds and reports a blue hydraulic system low level. Captain turns off the blue hydraulic pump and system page goes to hydraulics. We note that the level is nearly empty. Status page notes we've lost both number 3 spoilers and the blue elevator flight control. We note the increased landing distance is not a factor on the 16;000 foot runway plus a 19 knot headwing component. Captain clears the ECAM and reports ECAM complete; screens normal. Continue approach to a normal landing. Turn off the runway and taxi to the ramp. Notified Maintenance and they found a severe leak in the left wheel well. Blue hydraulic system checked normal on preflight with the level on the slightly high side but within limits. No leaks noted on the walk around.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.