A320
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
After liftoff I tried to raise the landing gear. The gear handle would not move and ECAM message L/G SHOCK ABSORBER FAULT was displayed. Other faults such as WINDSHEAR DET FAULT; ANTI-ICE FO FAULT; ATO FLT A/THR OFF; BRAKES AUTO BRK FAULT; BRAKES A/SKID N/WS FAULT were also displayed. We advised ATC; Company Maintenance; and Airport Operations of our intended return to our departure airport. We declared an emergency with ATC and were vectored while we accomplished the related abnormal procedures. We were able to get nose wheel steering and normal brakes back through ECAM follow-up using the QRH. We briefed the flight attendants for a precautionary landing and made a PA to the passengers to explain our return. Finally; we advised ATC we would be able to land with normal braking; clear the runway and taxi to the gate.
When the A320's landing gear lever failed to move after takeoff and numerous ECAM messages were presented the flight crew followed the appropriate QRH and ECAM procedures returning many of the lost functions; diverted back to their departure airport and landed without further incident.