Dash 8-300
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Aircraft
After takeoff the landing gear retracted normally; then a few minutes after retraction; during a normal climb at 160kts; the nose gear began to repeatedly cycle by itself and could be heard and felt cycling uncontrollably. The amber nose gear advisory light and red unsafe nose gear lights illuminated on/off for several minutes. I continued the climb and reduced speed to 140 kts due to the nose gear door opening. Once at a safe altitude and called for the non-normal checklist for the associated gear lights; at which point the gear cycling had stopped and remained up. Due to to the multiple gear lights; an alternate gear extension was warranted. I was unsure whether the nose gear was jammed or whether it would extend properly for landing. I exchanged flight controls with the FO and called dispatch/maintenance to coordinate a plan. Since ZZZ1 has longer runways than ZZZ; was our destination; and the aircraft was stable for continued flight w/ gear retracted and the cycling had stopped; I felt it was safe to continue to ZZZ1. I [advised ATC]; got direct routing; and briefed the FA and passengers for an landing with no brace required. If the nose gear would not extend then I planned on holding to devise a new plan and new instructions for the FA. The FO and I briefed our procedures and I resumed controls. The FO performed a successful alternate gear extension and we landed and stopped on runway while AARF [aircraft rescue and firefighting] inspected our nosewheel. I did not have nosewheel steering due to the alternate extension but had adequate steering control via differential power / braking to safely return to the gate. The passengers deplaned normally after the gear locking pins were installed. No crew or passenger injuries were sustained.The alternate gear extension training in the simulator was invaluable to today's event. My FO and I felt very prepared for this procedure. I do not believe there was anything the flight crew could do to prevent this mechanical issue.
Bombardier Dash 8 Captain reported the nose gear repeatedly cycled by itself during climb.