Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Retractable Gear
Flight Crew Rotorcraft; Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 300; Flight Crew Type 50
Time Pressure; Troubleshooting; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Aircraft
Left and nose gear lights failed to illuminate. First action was to toggle nav light switch and test the bulbs; since in this aircraft the gear lights dim when the nav light is on. Once it was confirmed that the bulbs were fine; landing gear handle was toggled. When it was returned to the DOWN position; the left and right main lights illuminated; but the nose gear light remained unlit. We reported to the ZZZ1 CTAF we would extend our downwind.I asked my passenger; a low-time private pilot; to read the checklist for a gear light failure. This included toggling the gear handle again; which we did to no avail; and utilizing the emergency gear release lever; which had no discernible effect. During this time; we noticed the ammeter showing a very high charge.A pilot on the CTAF asked if we intended to stay in the pattern and I reported our problem. They offered assistance; so I turned back to the airport and asked if anyone could visually check our nose gear. A pilot on the ground at midfield confirmed our nose gear was down during a low approach. With this information; I decided to return to ZZZ; where the aircraft is based; about 30 miles away.I initially planned to [advise ATC] at ZZZ.I called ZZZ Tower 20 miles out and explained the situation; and my concern that the nose gear was not locked; even though it was down. The Tower asked if we would like to do a flyby of the Tower for them to check the gear; which I accepted. The Tower asked for fuel amount and time; and passengers; to which I replied we had 60 gallons and plenty of time; 2 souls.We did a low approach over [Runway] XXR; and the Tower confirmed that the gear was down and locked. They asked if we would prefer to land on the north runway; which was the active runway. I said yes and planned a soft field landing to [Runway] XXL. Since the gear was locked and I was being given priority and any resources I needed; I amended my decision to [advise ATC]; as I felt it would not get me anything else I might need to land safely that I wasn't already being provided.My passenger pointed out that the gear pump circuit breaker was popped. She tried pushing it in; which caused the ammeter to spike; so we pulled it out and left it out.The Tower asked if I wanted additional resources waiting on the ground. I decided no additional resources were needed; and proceeded to land using soft field technique; holding the nose gear off for most of the ground roll. Tower again confirmed nose gear was locked and I made a sharp turn to exit the runway once I confirmed steering was good.I was cleared to taxi to the plane's flight school where an airport ground personnel met me to get a report. He then asked us to call the Tower; which also asked for a report detailing my route of flight.After the plane was repaired; Maintenance reported that the gear switch actuator was replaced; but I never got an explanation for the gear pump electrical problem.
Private Pilot reported an unsafe gear condition indication while on initial approach. Ground personal reported that they visually observed the gear was down and pilot made a successfull landing.