The aircraft had a night stop at Port-Harcourt International Airport, after being on ground for 23hrs. It departed from Port-Harcourt at 0637 UTC on Tuesday the 5th of September for l agos with eleven (11) souls on board and fuel endurance of 2 hours 50 minutes.
The take-off was normal, but after passing 1500ft when the “after take-off” checks were in progress, it was found that there was a red landing gear warning light indicating that the left main landing gear was not properly closed. ‘
Thecrew recycled the landing gear twice but the problem persisted. A third recycling was carried out with the landing flaps extended to 10 degrees. After this, the warning light went off and the flight continued normally cruising at flight level 220.
The aircraft commenced its initial descent at about 0715 UTC leaving IL 220 for 1•L 120. On arrival over ‘Lima Gulf VOR at about 0720 UTC, the aircraft was cleared to 11_ 50 with a speed below 200 knots and held n holding pattern for about ten( 10) minutes. The aircraft was then cleared for an I LS approach into runway 19R. Close to the localiser intercept, the gears were lowered and the landing gear i ndicators showed that the gears were not deployed.