Telltale Flicker

It was a beautiful fall morning, with clear skies. My five-year-old son and I wanted to get back in the air after annualing my Bellanca Super Viking a few weeks prior. We were feeling good about the airplane. Our adventure that morning: a simple sightseeing flight. As we established a positive climb rate, I cleaned up the airplane and adjusted power. But when I slid the gear lever to the "up" position, nothing happened.

Key Takeaways:

• A pilot experienced a landing gear malfunction, specifically with the nosegear remaining unlocked, shortly after takeoff in his Bellanca Super Viking with his young son.
• After exhausting normal and emergency procedures, an emergency landing was performed, resulting in a propeller strike and fuselage damage as the nosegear collapsed, though both occupants exited safely.
• The incident was later linked to a failed brush in the gear motor, leading the pilot to emphasize the critical importance of never disregarding any electrical system warning, no matter how brief.

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