PLT OF A C337 BECAME DISTR DURING INITIAL CLBOUT AFTER TKOF DUE TO A LNDG GEAR RETRACTION PROB RESULTING IN LEVELING OFF AT A LOW ALT OVER THE CONGESTED AREA NEAR THE ARPT.

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DURING THE CLBOUT AFTER TKOF; I CYCLED THE GEAR UP; AS IS THE USUAL PRACTICE. I CONTINUED THE CLEANUP (PWR SETTINGS; FLAPS UP; ETC) WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE GEAR DOWN LIGHT WAS STILL LIT AND THE GEAR LEVER HAD RETURNED TO NEUTRAL. I RESET THE GEAR LEVER TO GEAR DOWN AND TRIED TO BRING IT UP AGAIN. DURING THIS TIME; I DID NOT CONTINUE A CLBOUT; AND STAYED AT ABOUT 400-500 FT. THE AREA I WAS OVER IS CONSIDERABLY DENSE AND I SHOULD HAVE CONTINUED MY CLB. I SAW THAT I WAS ON AN INTERSECTING COURSE WITH A SHERIFF'S HELI AND I TURNED R TO GO AROUND/BEHIND IT. THEY CALLED TO SEE IF I NEEDED ASSISTANCE; AND I TOLD THEM THAT I HAD GEAR PROBS. ORANGE COUNTY TWR ASKED MY INTENTIONS AND I SAID I WAS GOING OUT OVER THE BEACH TO TRY AND SORT THINGS OUT; WHICH I DID -- CONTINUING A CLB TO ABOUT 1500 FT. I GOT THE GEAR INTO A SAFE CONDITION AND TOLD ORANGE COUNTY TWR I WAS HDG BACK. ON DOWNWIND; THEY TOLD ME THE GEAR APPEARED TO BE DOWN AND ASKED IF I NEEDED FURTHER ASSISTANCE. I DECLINED; STATING THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE. I MADE A NORMAL APCH AND LANDED. THE GEAR WAS DOWN AND LOCKED. ORANGE COUNTY HAD CALLED OUT THE FIRE TRUCKS IN CASE OF NEED. I TAXIED TO AN ON-FIELD MECH WHERE I HAVE MY MAINT DONE. THE REPORTABLE PROB WAS MY NOT CONTINUING THE CLBOUT AND ALLOWING MYSELF TO BE DISTR BY A NON EMER OCCURRENCE. THIS LED TO MY FLYING OVER A DENSELY POPULATED AREA AT AN UNACCEPTABLY LOW ALT -- UNDER CTL BUT LOW. I LEARNED SEVERAL THINGS: FIRST; FLYING THE AIRPLANE IS THE BEST POLICY. SECOND; IF YOU HAVE GEAR PROBS; BUT IT GOES DOWN AND LOCKS; GO GET IT REPAIRED BEFORE YOU PUT IT UP AGAIN. AND LAST; BUT NOT LEAST; REMAINING CALM AND WORKING WITH THE PROFESSIONALS IN THE AIR AND ON THE GND PROVES THE VALUE OF THE TRAINING AND SYS IN PLACE.