Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 25; Flight Crew Total 1225; Flight Crew Type 475
Distraction; Human-Machine Interface; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft; Human Factors
Departed and attempted to raise landing gear. Received indication that landing gear did not retract. Initial troubleshooting was unsuccessful. Turned down radio to minimize distractions to further troubleshoot problems using aircraft manual. Realized that would be transiting military control area and reported to this agency that a problem was being troubleshot and that would be transiting that airspace. Heard no response and assumed that ATC was no longer active and that flight into airspace would be OK. Was able to raise gear after reviewing emergency procedures for same and continued on to destination. Only later realized that volume on radio had been turned down; and any response from ATC would not have been heard.
Mooney M20T pilot reported that the landing gear would not retract after takeoff. While dealing with that distraction he entered restricted airspace.