A Cessna 402 pilot reported a failure of the nose gear to properly retract after takeoff. Pilot made a return to the departure airport.
Synopsis
A Cessna 402 pilot reported a failure of the nose gear to properly retract after takeoff. Pilot made a return to the departure airport.
Narrative
Performed a normal takeoff; on climbout I selected gear up. Main gear retracted; Gear HYD light extinguished; Gear Unlocked Light extinguished; however the nose gear down light remained illuminated. I cycled the gear and the nose wheel retracted as normal. I notified Operations Control and they recommended running the appropriate checklist and returning to ZZZ. I asked for Dispatch's advice and was given the same information; including using the blow down bottle. I notified Tower of the issue and my intentions. I ran the 'LANDING GEAR DOWN AND LOCKED LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH THE GEAR SWITCH UP AND HYD PRESS LIGHT OUT' checklist; it eventually referred me to the 'LANDING WITH DEFECTIVE NOSE GEAR' checklist. Both checklist were ran; the gear down lights were illuminated for all three wheels. I [requested priority handling] with the Tower; notified them of the issue; and provided any information they requested. I then made a straight in approach for Runway XX using the procedures required by the checklist and landed without any issues. No one was harmed and the nose gear was down and locked holding the weight of the aircraft. Maintenance came and towed the aircraft off the runway without the brace.
Second reporter narrative
Performed a normal takeoff; on climb out I selected gear up. Main gear retracted; Gear HYD light extinguished; Gear Unlocked Light extinguished; however the nose gear down light remained illuminated. I cycled the gear and the nose wheel retracted as normal. I notified Operations Control and they recommended running the appropriate checklist and returning to ZZZ. I asked for the Dispatch's advise and was given the same information; including using the blow down bottle. I notified Tower of the issue and my intentions. I ran the 'LANDING GEAR DOWN AND LOCKED LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH THE GEAR SWITCH UP AND HYD PRESS LIGHT OUT' checklist; it eventually referred me to the 'LANDING WITH DEFECTIVE NOSE GEAR' checklist. Both checklist were ran; the gear down lights were illuminated for all three wheels. I declared an emergency with the Tower; notified them of the issue; and provided any information they requested. I then made a straight in approach for Runway XX using the procedures required by the checklist and landed without any issues. No one was harmed and the nose gear was down and locked holding the weight of the aircraft. Maintenance came and towed the aircraft off the runway without the brace.Cause: The nose gear not retracting on takeoff.Suggestions: Consult with Maintenance Control on this.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.