Incident Overview
On October 7, 2023, a Cessna Citation 560 with registration YV1018 departed Simón Bolívar International Airport (SVMI) in Maiquetía, Venezuela, bound for El Yaqué. The aircraft, operated by Arrendadora 1721, C.A., carried two crew members and was configured for a flight with an estimated duration of 35 minutes.
Event Description
During the initial climb phase, approximately 10 nautical miles from SVMI at 16:00 UTC, the captain observed a "GEAR UNLOCKED" indication while performing the after-takeoff checklist. Despite the warning light, the aircraft exhibited no unusual vibrations or performance limitations. The crew suspected a potential issue with a landing gear door not fully closing or an intermittent microswitch signal.
Prioritizing operational safety, the crew notified Maiquetía Approach Control and was authorized to return. Upon configuring for landing, the crew extended the landing gear and verified that all three green position lights were illuminated, confirming the gear was down and locked. The aircraft landed safely on runway 10L at 16:03 UTC without further incident.
Investigation Findings
The investigation, conducted by the Venezuelan Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Board (JIAAC), included interviews with the crew and a technical inspection of the aircraft. The Cessna Citation 560 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney JT15D-D turbofan engines. Maintenance records indicated the aircraft was airworthy at the time of the event.
Technical personnel performed troubleshooting procedures in accordance with the manufacturer's maintenance manual (AMM 32-60-00). A visual inspection of the landing gear, linkages, doors, and microswitches revealed no discrepancies. Cleaning of the connectors and microswitch was performed, followed by multiple cycles of gear extension and retraction, which functioned satisfactorily.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The investigation determined that no mechanical irregularity influenced the system adversely, and the reported fault did not recur during testing. The JIAAC recommended that the operator monitor the aircraft for 60 days to detect any potential anomalies in the landing gear warning system.