Thread For Incidents Involving Gear Malfunctions

[pelmet]

C-GYBF, a Conair Group Incorporated Air Tractor AT802 (Fire Boss) amphibious float equipped
aircraft was conducting fire suppression operations as flight FGD699 with only the pilot on board.
The aircraft took off from Campbell River (CYBL), BC, with an intended final destination of
Abbotsford (CYXX), BC. During water scooping operations on Cameron Lake (49°17'35" N,
124°37'22" W), the pilot noticed the landing gear hydraulic pumps were on and running
continuously. The pilot suspected a hydraulic leak and pulled the landing gear pump circuit
breakers. Subsequently, he detected the smell of hydraulic fluid. The pilot determined that there
was a risk that the landing gear would not extend safely and elected to leave the landing gear up.
He diverted to Harrison Lake and planned a water landing. Company Maintenance was advised,
and they sent a recovery team and boat to meet the aircraft. The landing on the lake was
uneventful and the aircraft was pulled up to the beach and secured.
Maintenance found a pinhole leak in a nose gear hydraulic line in the left float. The line was
replaced, fluid was replenished, and gear cycles were completed on the water. The aircraft then
returned to the company base at CYXX.

[pelmet]

From TSB.....

C-GCBL, an AC Airways Limited Cessna 210C (Centurion) aircraft, was conducting a flight from
Pitt Meadows (CYPK), BC, to Kamloops (CYKA), BC. On final approach to Runway 09 at CYKA,
the pilot noticed an issue with the hydraulic system that operates the landing gear and flaps. The
flap travel was limited and the landing gear did not extend. The pilot informed the flight service
station that they were having gear issues and intended to troubleshoot the problem. After actioning
checklists from the pilot operating manual and consulting with company, the situation was
unchanged. The pilot decided to return to CYPK where they circled for approximately one hour to
reduce the fuel onboard. The pilot then conducted one planned approach overshoot and then
landed with the main gear retracted. City fire department crews and equipment were waiting on
scene. The aircraft came to rest on the runway surface with only the nose gear extended. There
was no fire and the aircraft sustained minor damage. There were no injuries.
The aircraft was recovered to the company hangar where maintenance will inspect the aircraft.

[pelmet]

From TSB.....

C-FSWN, an Iskwew Air Piper PA-31-350 (Chieftain) airplane, was conducting flight SG309 from
Vancouver International Airport (CYVR), BC, to Qualicum Beach Airport (CAT4), BC, with the pilot
an 2 passengers on board. After takeoff, the pilot selected gear up but the gear would not retract. It
appeared that the nose gear wheel was turned 90° to the airplane. The pilot requested an
inspection pass by the air traffic control tower who confirmed that the nose gear was sideways to
the aircraft. Aircraft fire fighting rescue (ARFF) crews and equipment were put on standby. The
pilot landed the aircraft and sparks and smoke came from the nose gear wheel and tire. The
aircraft was stopped on the runway and was met by ARFF. The passengers were deplaned and the
aircraft remained on the runway for approximately 3.5 hours while a tow was being arranged.
There were no injuries. The aircraft sustained minor damage.
It was determined that the nose gear's upper and lower torque link assemblies were not connected.

[pelmet]

From the TSB.....

C-FTES, a privately registered Cessna 337G, was conducting an IFR flight from North Bay/ Jack
Garland Airport (CYYB), ON, to St. Catharines/Niagara District Airport (CYSN), ON, with 1 pilot
and 2 passengers onboard. During initial climb from CYYB, the pilot noticed that the left main
landing gear door was still open after the gear retraction. Once in level cruise, the pilot
unsuccessfully tried to deploy the landing gear. The pilot subsequently ran the applicable checklist
from the flight manual and declared PAN PAN with ATC, stating his intention to continue the flight
to CYSN. Once in range of CYSN, the pilot requested a descent into VFR conditions, after which
he attempted a manual landing gear extension, which was not successful. After an hour of circling
and additional troubleshooting in consultation with his AME via telephone, the pilot elected to land
on the grass beside Runway 01 with ARFF standing by. The pilot shut both engines off before
touchdown and landed the aircraft on its belly. The aircraft sustained damage to the front propeller,
the landing gear doors, and to the belly. The occupants exited the aircraft without injuries. There
was no post impact fire. Preliminary maintenance information indicates a failure of the nose landing gear actuator which
caused a loss of hydraulic fluid in the landing gear system.

[pelmet]

Looks like the procedure is to shut down the engine on the faulty gear side.....

C-GJZF, a Jazz Aviation LP Bombardier DHC-8-402 aircraft was conducting a test flight JZA7190
at Toronto / Lester B. Pearson International Airport (CYYZ), ON following the replacement of a
spoiler cable due to a previous defect. On board were the two flight crewmembers and two
maintenance personnel. During the approach to Runway 24L, the landing gear was extended, and
the flight crew received an unsafe indication for the Left Main Landing Gear. In response, the crew
aborted the approach and initiated a climb to 5000 feet above sea level (ASL). They then followed
the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) procedures and declared a PAN PAN emergency with Air
Traffic Control (ATC).
Despite completing the QRH procedures, the unsafe landing gear indication persisted. The flight
crew made the decision to execute a landing with the landing gear in the unsafe condition, in
accordance with the QRH. This procedure also required shutting down the number one engine.
The aircraft executed a safe landing on Runway 15L. After coming to a stop on the runway, the
flight crew shut down the right engine as Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) personnel
approached the aircraft.
Upon inspection on the runway, maintenance discovered a tool jammed in the left landing gear,
preventing it from fully extending. Subsequent investigation determined that the tool found was an
extension magnetic tool, not under the operator's control, and lacking any identification markings.
The operator conducted research into prior maintenance in the area but found no documented
reason for the tool to be located there.


...from TSB.

[pelmet]

From TSB via google translate.....

C-FAMS, a Piper PA-31-325 operated by the General and Professional Education College of
Chicoutimi was carrying out a maintenance flight under visual flight rules from the airport of
Chicoutimi/St-Honoré, QC (CYRC) with a pilot and an aircraft maintenance technician on board. At
moment of ascent, after having carried out a simulated IFR approach to Bagotville airport,
QC (CYBG), the pilot observed an indication that the landing gear was not completely
retracted. The pilot canceled the planned second simulated IFR approach and received clearance to
climb to 3000 feet to carry out checks. The pilot completed the checklist
of the Quick Reference Manual (QRH) but the indication that the left gear was not
fully extended or locked has remained lit. The pilot asked the air traffic controller to
CYRC authorization to make a low pass in front of the tower for a visual check of the
position of the landing gear. The air traffic controller confirmed that the wheels were down.
The pilot followed the applicable emergency procedure and requested rescue and response services.
against aircraft fires (SLIA). The aircraft landed without incident.

[mmm...bacon]

Somebody’s not going to have a Merry Christmas - C-GPTH, Pa 34-200, just drove by us at KTRM on a flatbed with the gear up, and the prop tips curled back. Explains the earlier NOTAM closing the runway. No reports as of yet, but one hopes it’s a hardware problem, not a software malfunction.

[pelmet]

From TSB....

C-GVVZ, a Sunwest Aviation Ltd. Learjet 45 departed the Winnipeg/James Armstrong Richardson
International Airport (CYWG), MB, to Saskatoon/John G. Diefenbaker International Airport (CYXE),
SK, operating as flight CNK645. When on final approach to Runway 33 at CYXE, the flight crew
selected the landing gear down and noticed that the nose gear indication was not illuminated
"down and locked". The crew tried wiggling the light to see if it might be loose and attempted a LTS
test and found the white hash lines (gear unsafe) lights illuminate on the nose gear but again, no
green light showing "down and locked". The crew executed a go around but kept the gear selection
in the down position. The crew obtained a holding clearance at 5000 feet and proceeded to
execute the UNSAFE gear indication checklist from the quick reference handbook (QRH). Upon
completing this checklist, the crew noted that they did not have any white hash (advisory
indication) but noted the nose steering light was illuminated which is a secondary indication of a
"down and locked" nose gear. The crew contacted ATC and requested to do a low approach for the
tower controller to inspect visually that the gear was down. The tower controller confirmed that the
landing gear appeared that it was down. The crew continued the circuit and on the downwind leg
for Runway 33, the tower controller offered ARFF to respond and the crew accepted the offer.
CNK645 then landed uneventfully on Runway 33 and taxied off the runway.
Once they landed in CYXE, the crew completed a full power down of the aircraft. After powering
the aircraft back up, the nose green light was illuminated. Subsequently, the operator's
maintenance investigated and found one out of the two bulbs burnt out in the nose gear down and
lock annunciator. They replaced all light bulbs in the nose gear down and lock, and gear unsafe
annunciator.

Seems like a thorough analysis done.

[pelmet]

From TSB....

C-GELD, a Piper PA-31 Navajo registered to Adventure Aviation, was conducting VFR circuits at
the Grand Prairie Airport (CYQU), AB, with the pilot and one passenger onboard. During the initial
climb after take-off, the pilot observed an abnormal landing gear indication. The pilot climbed to
circuit altitude and attempted to cycle the landing gear. It was observed by both the pilot and
passenger that the landing gear was neither retracting nor extending and the landing gear handle
was not returning to the "neutral" position with either selection.

The manual extension hydraulic hand pump was operated in an attempt to extend the landing
gear, and a flyby of the tower was performed. It was observed that only one main landing gear was
in a partially extended position and the remaining landing gear were retracted. The pilot continued
to operate the manual hydraulic pump, and the landing gear eventually indicated down and locked.
The pilot then performed additional tower flybys to confirm that the landing gear appeared to be
fully extended and requested emergency services be placed on standby. The aircraft completed an
uneventful landing approximately 20 minutes after take-off.

Subsequent investigation by aircraft maintenance found nothing abnormal. Multiple landing gear
operational checks were performed, and a test flight was successfully completed.

[pelmet]

Interesting that they used the TAWS as part of their troubleshooting....

C-GNCD, a Beech B200 operated by SkyNorth Air, was operating IFR flight SN867 from
Winnipeg/James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (CYWG), MB, to Thompson Airport
(CYTH), MB. While on approach to Runway 24 at CYTH, the flight crew noted that the right-hand
main landing gear light was not illuminated upon gear extension. A go-around was conducted and
the aircraft held north of the airport. The crew referenced the quick reference handbook (QRH) and
changed light bulbs; however, the light remained extinguished. After consulting with the operator's
maintenance by phone, the crew further troubleshot the situation and noted that the gear horn and
the TAWS warnings could not be heard. A low pass was conducted and Thompson Radio
indicated that they could see both main gears. The flight crew declared an emergency, aircraft
rescue and firefighting was placed on standby, and the aircraft landed uneventfully at CYTH.

.....from TSB.

[pelmet]

From TSB....

C-FZNQ, an Air Nunavut Beechcraft 200 was operating flight BFF202 from Baker Lake Airport
(CYBK), NU, to Rankin Inlet Airport (CYRT), NU. When the flight crew selected gear up after
takeoff from CYBK, the main gear stayed down but the nose gear retracted. The flight crew
continued to climb and once clear of obstacles, cycled the landing gear. The main gear remained
extended, but the nose gear went to a partially extended position. The flight crew then attempted to
use the alternate gear extension system; however, there was no change in gear configuration. The
flight crew declared an emergency and the aircraft continued to CYRT. The flight crew conducted a
low pass at CYRT and ground-based staff reported that the nose landing gear appeared to be only
partially down. The aircraft subsequently landed on Runway 31 with the main landing gear down
and locked and the nose landing gear partially extended. Upon touchdown, the flight crew shut
down the engines. The aircraft came to a rest halfway down the runway. The two flight crew
members and 6 passengers were able to egress the aircraft with no injuries. Aircraft rescue and
firefighting were on scene and assisted with the aircraft evacuation. The left and right propellers
sustained damage to two blades each and the nose gear doors were damaged.
Upon inspection, the operator's maintenance found a shredded O-ring in the landing gear selector
valve and a broken wire in the cannon plug connection for the landing gear hydraulic system
pressure switch. The selector valve and cannon plug were replaced. The gear extension and
retraction system were tested, as well as the emergency extension system with no faults found.