Incident Overview
During approach to Charlotte, the aircraft's main landing gear would not extend. The flight crew diverted to Greensboro. The right main gear eventually extended after the application of extensive g-forces, but the left gear remained retracted. The aircraft landed at Greensboro with the left gear not fully extended.
Post-Landing Discovery
After landing, maintenance personnel found a 29-inch wheel chock wedged between the radius of the left wheel well and the inboard wheel. The chock had physically prevented the left main landing gear from falling down and locking into place.
Background
The airplane had been repositioned several times the night before the incident. Mechanics recalled placing chocks in the wheel well during those moves. Prior to departure from Washington, an A-check and a walk-around inspection had been completed. Both inspections required an examination of the wheel well area.
Inspection Details
The first officer performed the walk-around inspection using a flashlight. The wheel chock was marked with yellow reflective tape, but the first officer stated that he did not see it. The oversight allowed the chock to remain in the wheel well, leading to the landing gear malfunction.
Cause
The investigation determined that the left main landing gear was prevented from extending by the 29-inch wheel chock wedged in the wheel well.