EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human-Machine Interface
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Maintenance Action; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
After takeoff and positive rate I called for gear up. The handle would not move to the up position. We then got the EICAS message Landing gear air ground fail message. We then performed the QRH actions that stated land at the nearest suitable airport. We notified ATC and declared an emergency. I briefed the Flight Attendant and passengers of the situation and that we were returning to [departure airport.] The First Officer ACARS'd Dispatch and notified Operations that we would be returning soon. The approach and landing were normal less the use of the thrust reversers. After the emergency personnel inspected the plane we taxied to the gate on our own power. One fix might be more preventable maintenance. I understand that all things can not be foreseen and that things break; but the day of this event I had total of three maintenance issues on two different planes. It just seems that lately I fly more planes with MELs than without.
An EMB-145 flight crew declared an emergency and returned to their departure airport when they were unable to raise the landing gear handle and received a landing gear air ground fail EICAS message.