B737-400
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
During the approach to landing; when the gear was extended; the left main gear did not come down. A missed approach was accomplished and vectors were received by ATC as we worked through the QRH procedure. I also elected to declare an emergency at this point. As per the QRH; the left main gear was successfully extended using the alternate gear extension. Once the QRH procedure was completed; we did a low fly-by so the ATC Tower; as well as fellow pilots could observe our gear configuration. Satisfied our gear was down and locked; we entered the pattern again and flew a normal profile to a normal and uneventful landing. After landing; we cleared the runway and taxied to our gate. I do not know why the gear did not come down. Maintenance took the airplane to the hangar for further inspection.
B737-400 Captain reports failure of the left main gear to extend during approach. A go-around is initiated and the gear is successfully extended using the alternate extension method. An uneventful landing and taxi to the gate ensues.