PA-31 Navajo/Chieftan/Mojave/T1040
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 90; Flight Crew Total 1750; Flight Crew Type 400
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Aircraft
Upon takeoff/climbout the gear handle was placed in the Up/Up position for retraction. All indications were normal during retraction. The gear handle popped to Up/Neutral and the red in-transit light extinguished. Upon completion of the Climb checklist; approximately 30 seconds later; I noticed that the red in-transit light was again illuminated. I requested to suspend my climb while I attempted to troubleshoot. I recycled the gear to the down position and received a green light on each gear. I brought the gear to the Up/Up position and monitored the indications and handle position. After a normal retraction; all lights were extinguished and the handle returned to Up/Neutral. After approximately 1-2 seconds the red transition light once again illuminated. I requested a return to the airport and for a low pass over Runway 8. The Tower confirmed the gear was up; however; the inboard doors were still open. After extending the gear I made another low pass on Runway 3 and received confirmation that all three were down and locked. No abnormal indications occurred during the extension process. I flew another pattern and landed on Runway 3 without incident. No defects in the gear were noted upon post flight inspection.
When the landing gear doors failed to retract on a PA-31 the pilot extended the gear; made a fly-by for the Tower to confirm the gear was down and landed safely.