Cessna Citation Sovereign (C680)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft; Company Policy
As we retracted the gear we both felt an unusual vibration and the Tower advised our nose gear was still down. We had a green nose gear light and a red unlock light. We climbed to 3;000 MSL and got permission from Tower to circle around the airport. We accomplished the checklist which concluded with all three gear down and locked and the instruction to land as soon as practical. After consulting with each other; the company and passengers; it was decided to proceed to an alternate.There was some question in our minds as to what qualified for 'as soon as practical.' There seems to be different thoughts on this from different people we have talked to at the company. This needs to be clarified during training.
The decision was made to divert due to the wind conditions at our destination and the short runway; 4;300 FT that favored landing into the wind. We complied with the abnormal and emergency checklist for landing gear that would not retract. It instructed us to land as soon as practical. After consulting with the Assistant Chief Pilot; we decided that the other airport would be an acceptable alternate as it was only 20 minutes flight from our planned destination.
After the flight crew of a Citation Sovereign successfully resolved the failure of the nose gear to retract after takeoff; utilizing the associated check lists; they noted the last checklist item directed them to land as soon as practical. The crew questioned the decision by the company to continue to their destination rather than to return to their departure airport.