Beech 1900
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
During gear retraction; the gear retracted normally; however; the landing gear pump continued to run after the gear was retracted and the Landing Gear Relay circuit breaker popped. The crew continued on course in accordance with ATC clearance out of the congested terminal area to troubleshoot the problem. The gear was retracted and there was no immediate threat of aircraft damage. However; we maintained speed below 180 knots IAS as a precaution. We tested all gear lights and confirmed they were operational. After level off and cruise checklist complete; the crew searched the QRH for any pertinent procedures or information. There was no guidance with regard to the popped circuit breaker; however; we knew that we might have to extend the gear using alternate methods without the use of the gear pump. We contacted Maintenance Control over the FBO operations frequency for troubleshooting and guidance. The mechanic suggested we try to reset the circuit breaker. We reset it; the pump continued to run; and the circuit breaker popped again. We contacted another company aircraft on company frequency for suggestions and they concurred with our assessment of the situation. We informed ATC that we requested a holding pattern and that we planned to return to [the departure airport] after we resolved the maintenance problem. We created a list of tasks to accomplish in order to ensure no critical tasks were omitted. We reviewed and completed the QRH for the alternate gear extension while in a holding pattern. We also reviewed contingency plans/actions if the gear became unsafe at any point during our approach and landing. We contacted [station] Operations; informed them of our situation and intentions; and had them pass the information to Dispatch. Company Dispatch attempted contact over the SAT phone; however; the transmissions were unreadable. We declared an emergency with [ATC]; informed them of our intentions; and requested the information to be relayed to the Approach and Tower controllers. We landed after a fly-by/low approach and visual confirmation of our gear from the Tower. We exited at taxiway Charlie; stopped; and shut down the engines. We deplaned the passengers and met with Maintenance and the fire/crash rescue team. The aircraft was towed back to the maintenance hangars following the termination of our emergency with the head of the crash/rescue department and after Maintenance secured the landing gear.
The pilot of a Beech 1900 described a landing gear system problem that caused them to return to the departure airport and complete a successful landing.