Narrative:

When the landing gear was selected up; the nose indication displayed unsafe and ECAM message 'left/G gear not uplocked' was presented. ECAM procedures were complied with and dispatcher was notified. During initial communication with company; flight continued on course at 220 KIAS at FL210. After initial suggestion by dispatcher to return to [departure station]; the co-pilot and I reviewed the 'fuel penalty table and weather forecast. By that time we were only 45 miles from the half way point. Adding the current fuel with the added penalty factor; we derived an arrival fuel of 5700 lbs. Weather was clear and we later agreed; with dispatcher's concurrence; to continue on to [planned destination station]. We also discussed an emergency alternate should something happen at [the destination station]. No emergency was exercised nor was any emergency equipment requested. However; 'minimum fuel' was declared as a precaution with ATC. Approach and landing were normal as was taxi in. We touched down with 6100 lbs of fuel. Upon arrival; a socket extension was found in the slot where the safety pin would have been installed in the nose gear. I had performed the preflight and saw no indications of a safety pin being installed in the nose gear (red flag or handle with button to remove pin). During cockpit preflight; safety pins were noted on the flight deck and the logbook had the notation that all landing gear safety pins had been removed from the landing gear and replaced back in the cockpit storage compartment. Inspection of the socket extension upon arrival revealed a slight indentation at the end which enhanced 'missing pin' verification. Not sure why maintenance personnel would use a socket extension as a safety pin. Maybe it would be a short cut from removing them from the storage compartment. From my end; it's obviously not enough to check for pins in the cockpit; notations in log book; red flags hanging from wheel wells and pin release handle not present. In the future I will incorporate a procedure where I will place my hand on the other side of the landing gear and look through the safety pin hole to spot it.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A pilot was unable to raise the nose landing gear after departure due to the installation of a non-standard landing gear pin that was not removed by maintenance personnel following the replacement of the nose landing gear tires.

Narrative: When the landing gear was selected up; the nose indication displayed unsafe and ECAM message 'L/G Gear NOT UPLOCKED' was presented. ECAM procedures were complied with and Dispatcher was notified. During initial communication with company; flight continued on course at 220 KIAS at FL210. After initial suggestion by Dispatcher to return to [departure station]; the co-pilot and I reviewed the 'Fuel Penalty Table and weather forecast. By that time we were only 45 miles from the half way point. Adding the current fuel with the added penalty factor; we derived an arrival fuel of 5700 lbs. Weather was clear and we later agreed; with Dispatcher's concurrence; to continue on to [planned destination station]. We also discussed an emergency alternate should something happen at [the destination station]. No emergency was exercised nor was any emergency equipment requested. However; 'Minimum Fuel' was declared as a precaution with ATC. Approach and landing were normal as was taxi in. We touched down with 6100 lbs of fuel. Upon arrival; a socket extension was found in the slot where the safety pin would have been installed in the nose gear. I had performed the preflight and saw no indications of a safety pin being installed in the nose gear (red flag or handle with button to remove pin). During cockpit preflight; safety pins were noted on the flight deck and the logbook had the notation that all landing gear safety pins had been removed from the landing gear and replaced back in the cockpit storage compartment. Inspection of the socket extension upon arrival revealed a slight indentation at the end which enhanced 'missing pin' verification. Not sure why maintenance personnel would use a socket extension as a safety pin. Maybe it would be a short cut from removing them from the storage compartment. From my end; it's obviously not enough to check for pins in the cockpit; notations in log book; red flags hanging from wheel wells and pin release handle not present. In the future I will incorporate a procedure where I will place my hand on the other side of the landing gear and look through the safety pin hole to spot it.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.