Airbus A330-343 TC-JNI Landing Gear Retraction Fault at Cape Town International Airport

Incident Overview and Flight Details On 2 January 2020 at approximately 1554Z, an Airbus A330-343 with registration TC-JNI departed Cape Town International Airport (FACT) on a scheduled commercial passenger flight to Istanbul International Airport (LTFM). The aircraft was carrying two flight crew members, 11 cabin crew members, and 292 passengers. The flight was conducted under Part 121 of the Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) 2011. ## Operational Sequence After takeoff from Runway 19, the crew selected the landing gear lever to the retracted position. The left main landing gear failed to retract, triggering a left gear fault indication on the Electric Centralised Aircraft Monitoring (ECAM) panel. The pilot monitoring notified air traffic control of the technical anomaly and requested permission to fly a holding race-course pattern above Robben Island at 8,000 feet above ground level with the landing gear extended. The crew referenced the landing gear troubleshooting checklist, which required a computer reset and resets of the landing gear control interface units (LGCIU1 and LGCIU2). Despite these actions, the landing gear remained in the extended position. The captain informed the Mid-state Operations Control Centre (MOCC) and Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC) of the situation. Initially, the crew indicated a holding time of three hours, but after two hours in the holding pattern, IOCC requested a diversion to O.R. Tambo International Airport (FAOR) due to its technical facilities. The aircraft diverted to FAOR and landed safely at 2018Z in a normal landing configuration. The total flight time, including the holding pattern, was 4.20 hours. No injuries or damage to the aircraft were reported. ## Investigation and Maintenance Findings The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID) led the investigation as the State of Occurrence. Post-incident fault-finding by the operator revealed that the left gear retraction fault was consistent with the ECAM warnings. Maintenance engineers identified that the right-side (in-board) pitch trimmer proximity sensor on the left landing gear was out of limit. The sensor measured 8.40 mm, which was 0.10 mm above the maximum limit of 8.30 mm (the acceptable range is 7.70 mm to 8.30 mm). The probable cause was determined to be damage to the pitch trimmer proximity switch sensor/target, likely due to wear and tear. Engineers adjusted the right-side (in-board) pitch trimmer proximity sensor on the left landing gear. Subsequent landing gear extension and retraction tests were satisfactory, and the aircraft was released back to service on 3 January 2020 without further landing gear-related defects.