Cessna 402/402C/B379 Businessliner/Utiliner
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft; Human Factors
The temperature was a cold -20 degrees F in the morning at [my departure airport; and] the plane frosted up as soon as it left the hangar. Due to a faulty de-ice machine; as well as the need for an External Power Unit engine start; the departure was delayed by over two hours. When taking off; I brought the landing gear handle into the UP position. All indications were normal; except that the green Nose Gear Down and Locked light remained illuminated. I waited a little bit to see if it would extinguish all by itself; climbing to a safe cruising altitude. As there was no change while at cruising altitude; I proceeded to consult the appropriate abnormal procedure checklist in the Quick Reference Handbook. After reviewing the checklist items and notes; I assessed the situation-first; I came to the conclusion that the position of the nose gear was unknown due to the abnormal indication. Secondly; judging by the sound of the airflow around the aircraft; and the feel of the gear rising when I initiated the gear retraction; as well as factoring in the VMC (neg. ice) weather and plenty of fuel reserves; I made the decision to continue to my destination airport. So when I got much closer to [destination]; in order that I would be certain that the landing gear was in fact down before arriving; I declared an emergency as a precaution and ran the appropriate checklist. Following the checklist instructions; I blew the gear down using the Emergency Nitrogen Bottle; and landed uneventfully.
Cessna 402 pilot reported continuing to destination after experiencing a nose gear anomaly following a cold weather takeoff. Pilot used the emergency nitrogen bottle for gear deployment at destination.