Cessna 402/402C/B379 Businessliner/Utiliner
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Distraction; Troubleshooting; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft
Landed without a locked nose gear. Heading into ZZZ; I did the before landing flow and put the gear handle down. The gear lights only indicated 2 green mains and the red unlocked light with no nose gear indication. Seconds after the lights illuminated for both the Left and Right Hydraulic Flow. I informed Tower I needed to break off my approach for a gear indication issue and troubleshoot. They gave me a heading and altitude then sent me to approach. Approach gave me vectors while I troubleshot. I performed the landing gear will not extend hydraulically checklist. Part of the checklist is to pull the emergency gear extension handle; I did so briskly and without twisting the handle. The indications did not change and I did not hear or feel a thump. I then pulled even harder on the emergency gear handle and braced myself by putting my feet on the floor then tried again and still no response. I finished the checklist then read through the next checklist to land with defective gear. I called approach and said my checklist was unsuccessful. I asked to return to ZZZ and told them there was no indication for the nose gear; and [advised ATC]. They brought me around for [Runway] XX; I ran through the checklist multiple times to ensure I had the procedure down; then left the book open. I landed softly and held the nose off for as long as possible. Performed the ground evacuation checklist then shut everything off and got out.
Pilot reported landing with the nose landing gear not locked and hydraulic flow indicators illuminated.