Ce-560XL captain reported observing a gear unlocked warning light on takeoff. After flying by the to...

Narrative:

When landing gear was retracted after takeoff; the unlocked warning light illuminated. The landing gear was extended; and all three landing gear indicated down and locked. The landing gear was again retracted with the same unlocked indication. The landing gear was again extended where it remained for the duration of the flight. Three down and locked was again indicated. Tower was advised; as was departure control. A fly-by the tower was requested to see if any abnormality could be detected. The result was that the nose gear appeared to be cocked to one side. I requested radar vectors to burn off fuel. While orbiting we looked at the checklist for any pertinent guidance. There wasn't any specific procedure for this situation; other than a possible emergency evacuation. The crew discussed the possibility of the nose gear turning to a 90 degree position; or possibly staying in an offset position resulting in a turn off the side of the runway. The plan was therefore to lighten the aircraft by burning off three thousand pounds of fuel which would lower our landing speed; hold the nose off the ground with the elevator; and the use of reverse thrust; thus lowering the ground speed to the greatest extent possible before nose gear touchdown. After burning off three thousand pounds of fuel; and securing any loose objects in the cockpit; clearance to land was requested. A normal approach and touchdown was executed; except that the nose was held off with the elevator and the use of reverse thrust. When the nose gear finally touched down; there was a mild shimmy; and the aircraft proceeded straight down the runway. We were able to taxi to the ramp; and secure the aircraft. The tower informed us that the nose gear centered itself when it touched down. There was no damage to the aircraft.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: CE-560XL Captain reported observing a gear unlocked warning light on takeoff. After flying by the Tower to visually confirm the problem; it was determined that the nosewheel was stuck sideways. The nosewheel straightened out during an uneventful landing.

Narrative: When landing gear was retracted after takeoff; the unlocked warning light illuminated. The landing gear was extended; and all three landing gear indicated down and locked. The landing gear was again retracted with the same unlocked indication. The landing gear was again extended where it remained for the duration of the flight. Three down and locked was again indicated. Tower was advised; as was departure control. A fly-by the tower was requested to see if any abnormality could be detected. The result was that the nose gear appeared to be cocked to one side. I requested radar vectors to burn off fuel. While orbiting we looked at the checklist for any pertinent guidance. There wasn't any specific procedure for this situation; other than a possible emergency evacuation. The crew discussed the possibility of the nose gear turning to a 90 degree position; or possibly staying in an offset position resulting in a turn off the side of the runway. The plan was therefore to lighten the aircraft by burning off three thousand pounds of fuel which would lower our landing speed; hold the nose off the ground with the elevator; and the use of reverse thrust; thus lowering the ground speed to the greatest extent possible before nose gear touchdown. After burning off three thousand pounds of fuel; and securing any loose objects in the cockpit; clearance to land was requested. A normal approach and touchdown was executed; except that the nose was held off with the elevator and the use of reverse thrust. When the nose gear finally touched down; there was a mild shimmy; and the aircraft proceeded straight down the runway. We were able to taxi to the ramp; and secure the aircraft. The tower informed us that the nose gear centered itself when it touched down. There was no damage to the aircraft.

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.

Attributes
ACN	1417597
Time
Date	201701
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Citation Excel (C560XL)
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Initial Climb
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150 Flight Crew Total 11000 Flight Crew Type 400
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe

Ce-560XL captain reported observing a gear unlocked warning light on takeoff. After flying by the tower to visually confirm the problem; it was determined that the nosewheel was stuck sideways. The nosewheel straightened out during an uneventful landing.