B737-700
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 388
Distraction; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Aircraft
During final stages of climb out to FL 360 from ZZZ; I noted oil quantity had decreased to approximately 35 percent. I suspected oil gulping; but the oil quantity in ZZZ was 95% and I thought that that condition happened with lower oil quantity. I had the flight attendants visually check the engine for anything abnormal; i.e. fluids. They noted nothing unusual. I coordinated a phone patch with Dispatch to discuss the situation and options. Dispatch conferred with Maintenance Control regarding the low oil quantity. Based on the absence of any further abnormal indications; the decision was made to continue. I continued to advise Dispatch of further decreases in oil quantity via ACARS messages. The First Officer; a probationary Pilot; did an outstanding job flying the aircraft and handling ATC COMMS throughout these stages of the flight. Ultimately; the oil pressure started to fluctuate. I; again; contacted Dispatch for a diversion. We decided on ZZZ1. I coordinated diversion to ZZZ1 with ATC and informed the light attendants and passengers. On descent; the fluctuations worsened with decreasing average pressure. I [advised ATC.] Shortly thereafter; pressure dropped to 'red line' with Low Oil Pressure light. I took control of the aircraft and the First Officer assumed ATC communications. Per QRH procedures; we conducted an engine shutdown. We advised ATC that we were single engine. Given the position on approach; increased tasking required for the engine shut down and single engine landing and expecting an uneventful landing; I did not notify the flight attendants or Dispatch that we were single engine. The landing was uneventful. After taxi back to the gate; I contacted Dispatch to advise them of the single engine landing and [priority handling]. The Chief Pilot pulled the rest of our flying for the day and we deadheaded home; which I think was an excellent idea. I wrote up the 'discrepancy' and overweight landing in the logbook.
B737-700 Captain reported loss of engine oil pressure that resulted in an inflight shutdown and precautionary landing.