2021-12 · NASA ASRS report 1864313
B757 flight crew reported landing safely after experiencing landing gear status light anomalies.
[On] our first approach we thought [we would] be unstable. We elected to go-around. On the first approach all three landing gear lights indicated green. We were vectored around for a second approach to Runway XXL; when we selected gear down we only received the two main gear green light indications; the nose light never illuminated. We performed a light test and every other indication was normal; however; the nose lights did not illuminate leading us to believe it was a light bulb issue. We informed Tower that we didn't have the proper indications and would need to figure out what was going on. At this time; I informed the Tower that we were min fuel; but we would need a chance to figure things out. Since we were already on approach we asked to perform a low pass to have Tower see if they could see the nose gear down or not. I also flashed the nose landing light to aid in this. We didn't have a gear disagree; EGPWS too low gear; or any unsafe indication. As we flew by the Tower they told us the gear appeared to be down. We then flew a missed approach to be vectored back for another landing. We decided to leave the gear down since we didn't want to make the situation worse. We flew the pattern at flaps 5; gear down and 180 kts. While we were being vectored around the FO (First Officer) was flying the plane and working the radios while I attempted to find an applicable QRH procedure. However; with our current fuel state and fuel burn rate we decided our fuel was quickly becoming a more pressing issue than the gear. We transferred controls of the aircraft and [requested special handling] for the gear indication and our fuel situation; [since] at that time we had 4;600 lbs on board. I briefed the FO on how I would fly the approach; my plan for the flare; and contingencies as I could think of them. We continued the approach to a normal landing and pulled off the runway to have CFR (Crash Fire Rescue) check the nose gear condition. While CFR was checking us out we discussed taxiing to the gate or getting towed in; I felt that since we didn't have any adverse issues and no unsafe indications that we would be ok to taxi in. CFR didn't see anything abnormal and again we agreed that we could taxi to the gate safely. We continued in and CFR followed us all the way to the gate.Our fuel state during this event was a major contributing factor in our handling of the scenario. Our first landing attempt we had around 7;600 lbs. Our second approach and pass we had somewhere around 6;400 lbs. Our flight release minimum fuel was 4;815 lbs. just from our pass by the Tower to downwind we had already burned through 1;200 lbs as we were at 4;600 lbs when we relayed information to approach. By the time we were landing we were around 3;600 lbs; and our release emergency fuel was 3;210 lbs. However; because of our gear configuration our fuel state was more critical than these numbers.Both lights burned out on the nose landing light indication. Maintenance replaced both bulbs after we blocked in; and the nose light down indication worked.Unfortunately due to the light bulb failure at a critical time of flight; I don't think anything could be done to fully prevent this event.
[Flight] was unstable during their 1st approach and decided to go-around. On the 2nd approach; the crew reported that there was no gear down indication; so they did a low pass near tower and tower reported that their landing gear appeared to be down and in the locked position. After the 2nd missed approach; the crew was coming close to their emergency fuel and [requested priority handling] with ATC. They were able to land safely on the 3rd approach into and the crew was able to land and taxi to the gate with no issues.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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