Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; General Declared Emergency
Weather; Aircraft
Shortly after takeoff; we were struck by lightning. This was immediately followed by an engine exceedance level 1 alert on the Number 2 Engine and a FADEC maintenance alert. We reference the required publications/procedures. All engine indications were normal and we determined that we were safe to continue. Just prior to level off we got the level 2 Oil Filter Bypass alert. Again we ran the QRH procedures. The procedures resulted in the engine safely running at 47% N1. We discussed the situation and felt we were safe to continue to destination. During the cruise; we noticed that the Number 2 oil quantity was slowly decreasing. We again referenced the QRH and felt we were safe and legal to continue. As we were approaching the top of descent; we elected to do a precautionary shutdown - We thought there was enough oil to continue to landing; but didn't want a distraction during the landing phase if the oil completely depleted. We declared an emergency and Captain executed an ILS. [We] taxied to gate after landing. It looks like the lightning strike might have caused the FADEC to fail and the engine to exceed limitations. The exceedance caused physical damage to the engine and the gradual loss of oil quantity. Any thing I submit here would be a complete guess. I've never seen lightning cause this type of damage to an engine.
MD11 First Officer experiences a lightning strike during climb out causing an engine exceedance and a FADEC maintenance alert. At level off an Oil Filter Bypass alert is received and the engine thrust is reduced in compliance with QRH procedures. Engine oil quantity slowly decreases during cruise and the engine is shut down at the top of descent as a precaution. A two engine landing ensues.