Beech 1900
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
At FL230 while deviating around thunderstorms a red warning light illuminated; shortly followed by a right engine low oil pressure annunciator and a right engine oil pressure gauge initially at 60 PSI; then within seconds fluctuating in the yellow arc. At that instant I assumed pilot flying duties and informed ATC; squawked 7700 with a request to ZZZ airfield. Engine torque was immediately reduced below 2000 torque (idle) on the right engine and the appropriate checklists were followed and completed while receiving a steer to ZZZ; our return field. Once in range of ZZZ; center handed us off to approach and a downwind arrival with vectors were given for a visual approach to a landing on Runway 36. Once safely on the runway I elected to secure the right engine in the hope of preventing further possible damage. This was totally within my capability and I did not consider it an unsafe action. After clearing the active runway we followed after landing and shutdown procedures and were towed to the ramp. Note the above reported engine indications remained constant from onset to engine shut down. For maintenance; Interstage Turbine Temperature (ITT) and oil temp were normal.
BE1900 Captain experiences the loss of right engine oil pressure at FL230 and diverts to the nearest suitable airport. The torque on the right engine is reduced to idle and the engine is allowed to run until after landing.