B737 flight crew reported after takeoff the nose gear would not retract. Flight returned to departure airport and was towed to the gate.
Synopsis
B737 flight crew reported after takeoff the nose gear would not retract. Flight returned to departure airport and was towed to the gate.
Narrative
After takeoff on XXR at ZZZ our nose gear wouldn't retract. We ran Gear Disagree checklist and were unable to get gear to retract. We then extended gear and returned for landing at ZZZ. We [advised ATC] and had equipment waiting at runway in the event of a gear collapse. I had also messaged dispatch that we were returning to ZZZ and to have maintenance 'pin our nose gear' on the runway after landing before we taxi to the gate. We were told after landing that our maintenance personnel was on the way to pin the nose gear. We then got verbal verification from the ATC people that the gear was pinned. As we taxied off the runway I noticed that it was harder than normal to steer the aircraft with the tiller. After we got on taxiway 1 I stopped the aircraft because I couldn't steer. I then told ATC that we would need a tug to bring us to the gate. The FO contacted operations and told them we needed to be tugged to the gate. When we got to the gate we were told the 'nose wheel steering pin' was in and that was why we couldn't steer. We were also told that the 'nose gear pin' was in when the tug hooked up. Later we were told that on the runway the 'nose wheel steering pin' was put in by a ramp person and he told the ZZZ team that we wouldn't be able to steer. When we called them to verify if the'nose wheel gear pin' was in they said yes. They never mentioned anything about the 'nose wheel steering pin'.
Second reporter narrative
After takeoff; noticed NLG position disagree (red light on); accompanied by noise. Assumed NLG did not retract and ran the associated checklist. After troubleshooting and failing to rectify the situation; [requested assistance] and had Airport Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) standing by while we returned to field. Gear extended normally; flew normal approach to landing. Stopped on runway; asked for nose gear to be pinned so it wouldn't accidentally retract or collapse. Was told gear was verified pinned on frequency and we proceeded to taxi. CA mentioned it was difficult to steer the aircraft. As we moved along; aircraft became increasingly hard to steer. Had to stop on the taxiway and got a tug to tow us the rest of the way to the gate.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.