Narrative:

Dhc-8-300 aircraft had hydraulic fluid dripping from nose gear area. [I] had contract maintenance try to determine location of leak; possible leak around steering manifold. Had crew run and taxi aircraft with steering 'on' or 'off'; still leaking around manifold and tubing. Contract maintenance had to leave aircraft at this time. I [as the maintenance controller] decided to send mechanic X. Mechanic X arrived at the aircraft. After cleaning [the nose gear] area and [performing engine] run and taxi of aircraft; mechanic X found line from steering mainfold to solenoid leaking. Mechanic X could not install temporary flex line due to the area. I had mechanic X cap-off [hydraulic] line for ferry flight to another station for repairs. Aircraft departed and after take-off; nose gear failed to retract; aircraft returned to departure airport. After inspecting nose gear for any defects; aircraft ferried to the other station for repairs. Under the information I received; I thought I did the right thing. But now I realize I should have ferried aircraft with 'gear down' for safety reasons. Capping-off the hydraulic line probably caused nose gear not to retract. After inspecting aircraft nose gear; aircraft ferried to the other station with 'gear down'. First; I should have sent mechanic X diagrams; so he could show line that was leaking and what systems are affected. And I should have ferried aircraft 'gear down' for safety reasons.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Maintenance Controller and Line Mechanic describe their involvement with a DHC-8-300 aircraft that returned to field after the Nose Landing Gear (NLG) would not retract. The aircraft was on a scheduled Maintenance Ferry Flight to replace a leaking hydraulic line to the Solonoid Valve at the Steering Actuator.

Narrative: DHC-8-300 aircraft had hydraulic fluid dripping from nose gear area. [I] had Contract Maintenance try to determine location of leak; possible leak around steering manifold. Had crew run and taxi aircraft with steering 'On' or 'Off'; still leaking around manifold and tubing. Contract Maintenance had to leave aircraft at this time. I [as the Maintenance Controller] decided to send Mechanic X. Mechanic X arrived at the aircraft. After cleaning [the nose gear] area and [performing Engine] run and taxi of aircraft; Mechanic X found line from steering mainfold to solenoid leaking. Mechanic X could not install temporary flex line due to the area. I had Mechanic X cap-off [hydraulic] line for Ferry flight to another station for repairs. Aircraft departed and after take-off; nose gear failed to retract; aircraft returned to departure airport. After inspecting nose gear for any defects; aircraft ferried to the other station for repairs. Under the information I received; I thought I did the right thing. But now I realize I should have ferried aircraft with 'Gear Down' for safety reasons. Capping-off the hydraulic line probably caused Nose Gear not to retract. After inspecting aircraft nose gear; aircraft ferried to the other station with 'Gear Down'. First; I should have sent Mechanic X diagrams; so he could show line that was leaking and what systems are affected. And I should have ferried aircraft 'Gear Down' for safety reasons.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.