Incident Summary
The pilot reported that after takeoff, the landing gear remained extended, indicated by sluggish airplane performance and the absence of indicator lights after attempting to retract the gear using normal procedures. He then attempted to cycle the landing gear and also to extend it using the emergency hand pump and the emergency CO2 blow-down bottle, both without success. He further reported hydraulic fluid on the cockpit floor after using the emergency hand pump, but a postaccident examination by the FAA revealed no hydraulic fluid leakage in the cockpit.
Air Traffic Control and Landing
Air traffic control advised the pilot that the landing gear appeared retracted but the landing gear doors were open. The flight proceeded to another airport, where the airplane was landed with the landing gear retracted.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination by the FAA revealed a loose B-nut on a flexible hydraulic hose at the nose landing gear actuator; the hydraulic reservoir of the power pack was empty. The hose was tightened, the reservoir was serviced, and the landing gear was cycled three times using the emergency hand pump. Additionally, misadjustment of the down lock switches for each main landing gear was noted, though all gears were down and locked over center during gear extension.
Maintenance History
The pilot advised the FAA that before the accident, no work was performed on the landing gear, though records indicate the pilot purchased the flexible hydraulic hose that was found to have a loose B-nut. In May 2006 and again in August 2006, the pilot requested two separate individuals to check the landing gear. The pilot, who is not a certificated airframe mechanic, asked one individual in May 2006 to assist with a "Main Landing Gear retraction problem he couldn't solve." The pilot provided the NTSB with the name of the mechanic who removed and replaced the flexible hydraulic hose at the nose landing gear actuator, which was found to have the loose B-nut. That mechanic reported that he did not perform any work to the landing gear system. The maintenance records did not reflect, and no determination was made as to who removed and replaced the flexible hydraulic hose that was found to have the loose B-nut.