All of a suddenly the alarms ring out, as from the cockpit indication system aural as well as visual warnings call for immediate attention. In an instant the captain and copilot have reacted and read the signs, engine number threes oil pressure is much too low.

The captain checks the emergency procedures for a low oil pressure indication.

Accordingly they have to retard engine number threes thrust lever and then they have to wait for about two minutes before they can actually shut the engine down.

Meanwhile the crew contacts the air-traffic control tower to inform them of the situation.

They are fully aware that they cannot continue the flight on three engines, and decide to return.

The captain informs the on-board flight attendants and the passengers about the situation, though concerned, everybody is of course disappointed about having to turn back.

Because the aircraft has not made the long journey its laden weight is now well above the safe landing limit, the crew must take the decision to dump approximately 100,000 kg of fuel, and this they must do over a particular area above the sea.

After dumping its fuel the aircraft is set on a course back to the airport, the crew in the mean-time reassure the passengers and prepare to land.

They remain wary of the fact that having an engine down also has consequences when trying to land the airplane. The loss of one reverse system means that either a much longer runway is necessary or the brakes must be applied in a manner that would overload the braking system, resulting in damaged tires which in turn could cause an accident.

After all is said and done the landing went very well, the ground teams had been informed of the approaching situation, and were prepared for her arrival.

When flight CCM 908 finally arrived back, the disappointed passengers were checked into hotels nearby to await the next available flight, which was not until the following day.

The captain and his crew, who were over their slotting time, went home.

And the aircraft was subsequently taken over by the maintenance engineers,

who had to conduct a thorough investigation as to the cause of the whole problem.