Troubleshooting Powered Landing Gear That Won't Operate Under Load

Updated 07/25/2018 | Published 07/23/2018

Question:

My landing gear jacks not working. One side works fine the other doesnt work going up or down if there is any weight on it. if I have the weight off the jacks then it works.

asked by: Karl

Expert Reply:

Thank you for clearly describing the issue with the motor on one of your landing gear legs.

When a jack motor operates when there is no load on it but fails to operate when there is a load this usually relates to a loose power connection. Check both of your power leads to that motor to ensure that both ground and hot connections are absolutely tight.

A weak ground will deliver some power but often not enough to lift. When a jack operates in the retract direction but not in the extend direction this too tends to indicate a weak power connection. The motor may function in the "gravity-assisted" retract direction but not in the extend direction when it is having to do the actual lifting, which requires far more current.

expert reply by: Adam R