What happened
On May 23, 2011, at 02:30 local time, a Boeing 777-800, registration 4X-ECD, operated by El Al, departed Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport on a scheduled passenger flight bound for Newark. Shortly after takeoff, the crew determined that the left main landing gear had failed to retract.
In preparation for landing, the aircraft dumped fuel. An Israeli F16 aircraft performed an in-flight confirmation of the landing gear extension. The aircraft subsequently landed at Ben Gurion Airport without incident. There were no injuries resulting from the event.
The investigation
Post-landing inspections of the left main landing gear revealed a structural failure in the upper portion of the gear at the point where it enters the forward trunnion. The failed component was removed from the aircraft for further examination. The investigation is being led by the Israeli Ministry of Transport, with the NTSB providing an Accredited Representative to assist as the State of Manufacture and Design.