CRJ-700 flight crew reported confusion over the location of a nose landing gear pin and the lack of a 'remove before flight' streamer lead to an air turn back after the nose gear would not retract. It was determined that the nose gear safety pin had been left installed; preventing nose gear retraction.
Synopsis
CRJ-700 flight crew reported confusion over the location of a nose landing gear pin and the lack of a 'remove before flight' streamer lead to an air turn back after the nose gear would not retract. It was determined that the nose gear safety pin had been left installed; preventing nose gear retraction.
Narrative
During the preflight of the nose gear; I missed the nose gear being installed. No 'remove before flight' flag was visible. Upon inspection of the pin stowage rack it was noted that the nose gear pin was missing. The CA (Captain) asked the ramp crew to see if it was still installed; but they were unable to ascertain whether the pin was installed. The CA conducted a visual inspection and was also unable to determine if the pin was installed. The aircraft took off with the nose gear pin installed with the FO (First Officer) as Pilot Flying. During the gear retraction; a 'gear disagree' warning was received and we began coordinating a level-off with ATC. I became distracted with the gear annunciator during the level-off and allowed the aircraft to over speed the nose gear which was in the down position. Once level; we coordinated with ATC to complete the emergency action items; configure the aircraft; complete all checklists; and return for a safe landing.I was not as familiar with the 700 preflight as I should be. The lack of an attached flag could have contributed to my missing the pin being installed. I have had other crew members tell me that they have seen maintenance borrow flags for other aircraft. This probably allowed me to believe that the pin was never installed. I will never miss a pin again; flag or no flag.
Second reporter narrative
We were doing a repo flight. On the gear/ADG pins check; we noticed we were missing one pin. The ramper told us he'd removed both main pins; but didn't find a nose gear pin. I went outside to check the nose gear well; and got in to look hard for a pin; but couldn't find it. We took off and got a gear disagree warning; and realized that the pin was definitely still in there. We ran the QRH and returned to the field; over speeding the gear slightly in the process. Once we landed; we noticed the flag for the nose gear pin on the floor of the flight deck. We removed the offending pin; and wrote it up in the AML (Aircraft Maintenance Logbook).I think rushing for this repo flight; the missing flag; and my lack of familiarity with the exact position of the nose gear pin all contributed to this.I can find the nose gear pin without a flag now; and can guarantee that I won't let this happen again.
More incidents for this aircraft family →
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.