A320
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 180; Flight Crew Total 11500; Flight Crew Type 3500
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
At cruise roughly 1 hour out; while doing a system check; noticed oil quantity low and decreasing. A message was sent to Maintenance (MX) describing the condition and the possibility of an erroneous reading. Oil continued to decrease and at zero; the oil pressure started falling. This verified our quantity issue. We reduced the #2 engine to idle and assessed our diversion options. Considerations included: mountainous terrain ahead; heavy weight landing; weather; and the upcoming single engine situation. We received clearance from Center for a pilot's discretion descent to FL240. Our best choice at the moment was to divert to ZZZ at our left 7:30 position and a distance of over 120 miles; with a nice [long] runway. We received this clearance and relayed our plan to dispatch via ACARS. At about the same time the Oil Pressure ECAM came on dictating the engine shutdown. Stable inbound to ZZZ we declared an emergency with ATC and followed it up with dispatch. During this entire process [the First Officer] flew the airplane and I handled the ECAM first and then the QRH engine shutdown checklist. By now we are level at FL240; unable to maintain any higher altitude comfortably. Dispatch forwarded the landing data for our heavy weight condition; weather was checked; and the visual backed up by the ILS 21 was input and briefed. Flight Attendants were notified of our situation and to clean up the cabin. A short time later the seat belt sign was turned on and an announcement made to the passengers. Heavy Weight landing checklist was the next one reviewed and with that and normal checklists done; we were ready for the landing. With favorable conditions; and his leg; [the First Officer] flew the excellent approach and landing. With our declared emergency. Taxiing in; hydraulics and steering remained normal and the fire crew followed us to the gate.
The autopilot was on and we set up for an overweight landing.
When the right engine oil quantity fell to zero and the oil pressure dropped as they approached a mountain range; the flight crew of an A320 shut down the engine; requested a lower altitude and diverted to an airport behind them.