Landing Gear Failures

                                       

    A landing gear failure is nothing to take lightly. It has caused multiple accidents and deaths over the years. There have been many studies on why landing gears fail to extend or retract. Common causes for landing gear failures include improper installation, lack of hydraulic fluid, failure of electrical wire connections, and improperly secured parts. These are just a few examples of the causes of a landing gear failure. Once the pilot knows that the airplane's landing gear cannot retract, the best thing to do is return to the airport as soon as possible or the flight and feel of the airplane would be quite different. If the landing gear fails to extend, then there are a few options to attempt. One option is to dive the airplane and then execute a rapid accent. This will create a big G-load factor and it makes the landing gear weigh more than usual which could result in forcing the landing gear to extend. Another option is to use the manual gear extension. Many airplanes have this feature to force the landing gear to extend. Some systems are connected through a linkage to the gear uplocks and when pulled it releases the gear. Some aircraft use hydraulic fluid to release the uplocks and allow the gear to be released. It is important to do a thorough inspection of the landing gear system. Everything needs to be checked and it is good to inspect the struts and gear for things like corrosion and cracks. Another thing to do is to lubricate the gear. These actions can help to address and reduce landing gear failures. 

References

Aircraft landing gear system maintenance. Aircraft Systems. (n.d.). Retrieved September 24, 2021, from https://www.aircraftsystemstech.com/p/landing-gear-system-maintenance.html.

Landing gear failures. Aviation, Airplane, Aircraft Landing Gear Failure Experts - DVI Aviation. (n.d.). Retrieved September 24, 2021, from http://www.dviaviation.com/landing-gear-failures.html.

Flight control Malfunction/Failure (Part Two) landing Gear malfunction. Flight Literacy. (2020, April 6). Retrieved September 24, 2021, from https://www.flightliteracy.com/flight-control-malfunction-failure-part-two-landing-gear-malfunction/.