Confusion reigned when a DHC8 flight crew was faced with three landing gear door caution lights afte...

Attributes
ACN	848408
Time
Date	200908
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Dash 8 Series Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Initial Climb Takeoff
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Gear Extend/Retract Mechanism
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 220 Flight Crew Total 7500 Flight Crew Type 6000
Person 2
Function	Pilot Flying First Officer
Qualification	Flight Crew Commercial Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 120 Flight Crew Total 1950 Flight Crew Type 150
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

Narrative:

After takeoff the landing gear was retracted. The landing gear doors amber caution lights; all three; remained illuminated accompanied by a rattling sound on initial climb. We informed the tower we would be returning to the field for a gear problem and requested to stay in the traffic pattern. After entering the right downwind for runway 18 we read the QRH. In the landing gear section of the QRH there is no procedure for all three (3) gear door caution lights remaining illuminated; which confused us. There are only procedures for one (1) main gear door or one (1) nose gear door cautions (amber); or gear warnings (red) illumination lights. The first officer read gear down and I called for the gear handle down which illuminated the nose gear down green and both main gear red warning lights along with all gear door amber lights. After further review of the checklists and remaining in the traffic pattern I elected to have the first officer move the gear handle to the up position and perform the alternate gear extension checklist procedure called for in the one (1) main gear door amber caution light procedure. The landing gear extended without any problem and the rattling sound subsided. Landed on runway 18 and returned to the gate without further incident. After arriving at the jet bridge the gear pins were installed as soon as possible after engine shutdown; per the QRH. After inspecting the aircraft on post-flight with mechanics; no damage was evident. One reason why I called for the gear handle down prematurely was because cycling the gear in other dhc-8 models was a procedure and there was no procedure for three (3) amber gear door lights in the dhc-8-400. I realize now that calling maintenance while airborne would have been a better option. Stress was also a contributing factor after dealing with an emergency the day before in the same aircraft.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Confusion reigned when a DHC8 flight crew was faced with three landing gear door caution lights after retracting the gear; an anomaly for which they had no procedure.

Narrative: After takeoff the landing gear was retracted. The landing gear doors amber caution lights; all three; remained illuminated accompanied by a rattling sound on initial climb. We informed the tower we would be returning to the field for a gear problem and requested to stay in the traffic pattern. After entering the right downwind for Runway 18 we read the QRH. In the landing gear section of the QRH there is no procedure for all three (3) gear door caution lights remaining illuminated; which confused us. There are only procedures for one (1) main gear door or one (1) nose gear door cautions (amber); or gear warnings (red) illumination lights. The First Officer read gear down and I called for the gear handle down which illuminated the nose gear down green and both main gear red warning lights along with all gear door amber lights. After further review of the checklists and remaining in the traffic pattern I elected to have the First Officer move the gear handle to the up position and perform the alternate gear extension checklist procedure called for in the one (1) main gear door amber caution light procedure. The landing gear extended without any problem and the rattling sound subsided. Landed on Runway 18 and returned to the gate without further incident. After arriving at the jet bridge the gear pins were installed as soon as possible after engine shutdown; per the QRH. After inspecting the aircraft on post-flight with mechanics; no damage was evident. One reason why I called for the gear handle down prematurely was because cycling the gear in other DHC-8 models was a procedure and there was no procedure for three (3) amber gear door lights in the DHC-8-400. I realize now that calling maintenance while airborne would have been a better option. Stress was also a contributing factor after dealing with an emergency the day before in the same aircraft.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.