What is a typical symptom of a gear not fully down and locked?

• A. Audible clank.
• B. Gear doors open.
• C. Nose gear collapse during extension.
• D. Gear warning horn and/or red indicator lights; inconsistent gear position indications; audible clank.

Answer: (D)

When the gear isn’t fully down and locked, the airplane’s gear position sensing and warning system detects the incomplete lock and alerts the crew. The typical signs are a gear warning horn and/or red indicator lights, plus inconsistent gear position indications across the indicators, which happen because the sensing circuits may report different statuses if the lock isn’t achieved. An audible clank can accompany the lock attempt as the mechanism engages, signaling that the gear is trying to lock but hasn’t reached the full, locked position. This combination of warnings and mixed readings is characteristic of a not-down-and-locked condition, making the option that includes both warning signals and mechanical feedback the best fit. The other options describe either normal extension sounds, a normal part of the extension sequence, or a severe mechanical failure not specifically tied to the gear not fully down and locked.