If a plane's landing gear malfunctions and the wheels won't deploy, the situation is handled with established safety procedures. While it's a serious issue, a safe landing is still possible.
Landing Gear Failure: What to Expect
Here's a breakdown of what typically occurs:
- Troubleshooting: The pilots will first attempt to resolve the issue using standard procedures. This might include:
- Recycling the landing gear system.
- Using an alternate extension system.
- Emergency Procedures: If the standard methods fail, most aircraft have an "emergency gravity gear extension" system.
- Controlled Landing: According to the reference provided, in the rare event that both standard and emergency systems fail, the plane can still land safely.
Emergency Landing Procedure
- Preparation: Air traffic control will clear a runway and prepare for a "tumultuous landing" as described in the reference. This means emergency services will be on standby.
- Landing: The plane will land on its belly (without the wheels). While not ideal, modern aircraft are designed to withstand this type of landing with a minimal risk to passengers.
In short: The plane lands on its belly on a cleared runway prepared for such an event.
