From kls Wed Dec 4 02:42:17 1996 Newsgroups: sci.aeronautics.airliners Path: bounce-back Date: 04 Dec 96 02:42:17 From: riker2@ibm.net (Robert M. Rike, Jr.) Subject: MD-88 Nose gear trouble Message-ID: Approved: kls@ohare.Chicago.COM Sender: kls@ohare.Chicago.COM Reply-To: riker2@ibm.net Just wanted to throw something out to you guys out there. The other day while flying into Columbia, SC on a md-88 we were coming in on final approach. I was sitting right by the wing and saw full flaps down. Then I noticed the flaps retracting a bit ans heard the engines throttle up and we started a slow turn left. We pass right over the end of the runway. The pilot cirlced like this two or three more times with the flaps partially extended. Then he came on and announced that they were having a problem getting a green light on the nose gear saying that it was locked. Does this mean it was extending but not locking in position? Can the co-pilot or engineer get to the cargo area and see the landing gear? Do they have access to those areas at 180 mph? He eventually got the green light and we landed fine. Also, after such an incident what is the FAA procedure? Is the plane grounded for a complete check over of the nose gear systems? I am presently working on my private pilots license so this really intrests me. Anyone know the procedure if they never did get a green light on the lock? Belly landing or main gear only landing? Thanks in advance for any info, Robbie Rike