What happened
Following takeoff, the pilot of a Cessna aircraft noticed sluggish performance and observed that the landing gear indicator lights failed to illuminate after attempting to retract the gear using normal procedures. The pilot determined the landing gear remained extended. In an attempt to rectify the situation, the pilot cycled the landing gear and attempted to extend it using both the emergency hand pump and the emergency CO2 blow-down bottle; however, both methods were unsuccessful. During the use of the emergency hand pump, the pilot reported seeing hydraulic fluid on the cockpit floor.
Air traffic control advised the pilot that while the landing gear appeared retracted, the landing gear doors remained open. The flight proceeded to another airport, where the aircraft was landed with the landing gear retracted.
The investigation
A post-accident examination by the FAA found no evidence of hydraulic fluid leakage within the cockpit. Investigators discovered a loose B-nut on a flexible hydraulic hose at the nose landing gear actuator, and the hydraulic reservoir of the power pack was found to be empty. Following repairs, which included tightening the hose and servicing the reservoir, the landing gear successfully cycled three times using the emergency hand pump.
While all gears were found to be down and locked over center during extension, investigators noted a misadjustment of the down lock switches for each main landing gear. Although the pilot stated no work had been performed on the gear prior to the accident, records indicated the pilot had purchased the specific flexible hydraulic hose that contained the loose B-nut. Furthermore, while the pilot identified a mechanic who had allegedly replaced the nose landing gear actuator hose, that mechanic denied performing any work on the landing gear system. Maintenance records did not identify who performed the removal or replacement of the faulty hose.