Date: 201304
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.ARTCC, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: B737-700
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Descent
Airspace: Class A ZZZ
ATC / advisory: Center ZZZ
Aircraft component: Powerplant Lubrication System
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: First Officer
Human factors: Time Pressure; Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Second reporter function: Captain
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Detector: Automation Aircraft Other Automation; Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Contributing factors: Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors; Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: While in descent we got an oil filter bypass alert. The checklist directed us to shutdown the left engine; complete the Engine Failure/Shutdown and One Engine Inoperative Landing Checklists. After completing the Engine Failure/Shutdown it directs landing at the nearest suitable airport. We continued to destination due to the facts that: the weather was great; we had over 1;500 feet of stopping margin; were very familiar with the airport and the quality of CFR and their familiarity with the B-737. Finally; it provided the best facilities to accommodate the passengers and gave us just enough time to run the checklists and review the boxed items in a expeditious and thorough manner. Although ZZZ was in the vicinity; it was an unknown quantity that would require time and attention to determine if it met the requirements of a suitable airport; dig out charts; get new weather; redo the performance numbers; brief the unfamiliar airport all while spiraling down into ZZZ while still needing to brief the flight attendants and passengers and complete the One Engine Inoperative Checklist. Instead we had a nice smooth trimmed stable descent into our destination; allowing us to complete our tasks in an unrushed manner. In fact we had just the right amount of time as we entered the traffic pattern shortly after completing the checklists and we were able to continue unfrazzled for a smooth approach and landing. When we cleared the runway CFR inspected us and confirmed the brakes were fine which agreed with the brake cooling numbers we ran. We then proceeded to the gate and said goodbye to the passengers who; with the exception of one woman; were in fine spirits and happily exited the aircraft. I am proud of the performance of the entire crew and I believe the simulator training we received prepared us well for this event.


Second narrative: A trimmed aircraft in a stabilized straight ahead; gentle descent seemed much more logical than a spiraling descent to ZZZ considering backing up the First Officer on checklists; performance data; Flight Attendant and passenger briefings.


Synopsis: The flight crew of a B737NG performed an inflight shutdown of their left engine and continued to their destination following receipt of a fuel filter bypass warning. The crew determined that continuing to their destination; already planned and briefed was wiser than starting the landing preparations all over again while spiraling the aircraft down to an airport immediately below them.