2025-04 · NASA ASRS report 2228098
B737 flight crew reported landing gear indication malfunction during cruise. Flight crew landed uneventfully.
During the cruise phase; the Captain noticed half of the VNAV button was inoperative; so he did a light test; which revealed a lack of indication for the nose gear green landing gear indicator light (on the center panel); as well as the nose and left gear indicator lights (green) on the overhead panel. We replaced the bulbs; but the indicators still did not illuminate.The Captain contacted Dispatch/Maintenance Control for assistance. We then reviewed the Non-Normal procedures to determine if any applicable checklists could address our situation; and we also consulted the Landing Gear System chapter in the Flight Manual.Since we weren't 100% sure that the landing gear would be fully extended and locked; we decided to take the most conservative plan.We prepared to execute the Manual Gear Extension checklist. If that procedure was unsuccessful; we planned to proceed with checklist Partial or All Gear Up Landing checklist. The Captain transferred control of the aircraft to me so that he could conduct the necessary procedures; including performing the 'two in; two out' action and prepare for all possible contingencies.We [requested priority handling] and requested the longest available runway (Runway XXL).During the downwind leg at 220 kts; we extended the landing gear and observed a normal gear indication on the primary secondary panel. We proceeded with a safe; uneventful landing.
During cruise about 30 minuted into the flight; I noticed half of the VNAV button lighting was inop. I did not notice that during the preflight; so to verify I turned all cockpit lighting to test to see if there was anything else I missed. During this test; I noticed the primary and secondary green indication for the nose gear was not illuminating; in addition to the secondary indication for the left gear. I knew these were working on the ground; so I changed the bulbs to no help. After discussing with my First Officer (FO); I asked dispatch for a phone patch with Maintenance Control. After some radio connectivity issues; Maintenance Control advised that cycling the gear handle up then back to off might work; so I elected to try it and there was no change; this led to concern that there is either a bad indication system on both channels; which we determined was unlikely; or there was an issue with the gear; which was probably even more unlikely. I didn't believe there was anything mechanically wrong with the gear; but out of an abundance of caution I elected to prepare for the possibility that the nose gear might be unsafe upon landing if we did not get a green indication on either channel when the gear was selected down. The gear unsafe checklist calls for cabin preparation for a possible evacuation. While I did not anticipate an actual evacuation being necessary; I briefed the flight attendants and pax (Passengers) appropriately; coordinated with Dispatch; the FO and I prepared the cockpit for all possible contingencies. [Priority handling was requested] when we started talking to ZZZ Center; who worked with Approach to give us extra space in the downwind for an early gear extension to see if they would all indicate safe. The airport prepared emergency vehicles and gave us the longest available Runway; XXL. The gear all indicated down and three green on both channels when selected down on the downwind; followed by an uneventful landing and taxi 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.
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