Narrative:

After takeoff we discovered during the climb flow and checklist that the main landing gear failed to retract fully. After complying with normal ATC requirements we attempted to perform QRH procedures. No actual checklist applied to this specific condition. I therefore decided to attempt to bring the landing gear down. Upon selecting the gear lever down all the landing gear came down and we received an all three green condition. After notifying ATC and company via ACARS I determined based on our distance from departure airport and to our landing airport; as well as the current and degrading weather conditions at our departure airport; it was more prudent to continue on to our destination. Also included in this decision was the fact that the landing gear was down and in a safe position (3 green) with no other warning indications. The aircraft; other than the gear being down; had no other mechanical failures or issues that would affect the safety of flight.after the completion of the flight; the post flight revealed that the pins were still installed on the aircraft. My first officer removed the pins; I wrote up the failed gear retraction in the logbook; and spoke with maintenance personnel; indicating to them; that we had discovered the pins on the post flight and removed them.I believe that the event occurred because the main gear pins that were installed for maintenance performed on the aircraft the previous night were not discovered on the first flight of the day preflight. I believe they were missed because the flags connected to the pins were wrapped up around the cross member of the main landing gear strut as result of the high power run-up requested by maintenance for testing of the pressurization. This coupled with the fact that the flags were virtually black from dirt and oil; made it very difficult to observe the pins and flags were still installed.but I do not believe that it is entirely due to complacency of the crew. During the previous night; the aircraft was undergoing maintenance for an unrelated pressurization issue written up by a previous crew. During those procedures; evidently; the gear pins were installed. I believe that if a thorough briefing between the mechanic and captain were performed; this situation may have been avoided. I had a discussion with the mechanic that signed the aircraft off that morning. He did not indicate; nor did I ask whether gear pins had been installed.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A commuter aircraft took off with the gear pins still installed. Upon discovery the flight crew elected to continue to their destination which was nearly as close as their departure airport and had better weather.

Narrative: After takeoff we discovered during the climb flow and checklist that the main landing gear failed to retract fully. After complying with normal ATC requirements we attempted to perform QRH procedures. No actual checklist applied to this specific condition. I therefore decided to attempt to bring the landing gear down. Upon selecting the gear lever down all the landing gear came down and we received an all three green condition. After notifying ATC and Company via ACARS I determined based on our distance from departure airport and to our landing airport; as well as the current and degrading weather conditions at our departure airport; it was more prudent to continue on to our destination. Also included in this decision was the fact that the landing gear was down and in a safe position (3 green) with no other warning indications. The aircraft; other than the gear being down; had no other mechanical failures or issues that would affect the safety of flight.After the completion of the flight; the post flight revealed that the pins were still installed on the aircraft. My First Officer removed the pins; I wrote up the failed gear retraction in the logbook; and spoke with maintenance personnel; indicating to them; that we had discovered the pins on the post flight and removed them.I believe that the event occurred because the main gear pins that were installed for maintenance performed on the aircraft the previous night were not discovered on the first flight of the day preflight. I believe they were missed because the flags connected to the pins were wrapped up around the cross member of the main landing gear strut as result of the high power run-up requested by Maintenance for testing of the pressurization. This coupled with the fact that the flags were virtually black from dirt and oil; made it very difficult to observe the pins and flags were still installed.But I do not believe that it is entirely due to complacency of the crew. During the previous night; the aircraft was undergoing maintenance for an unrelated pressurization issue written up by a previous crew. During those procedures; evidently; the gear pins were installed. I believe that if a thorough briefing between the Mechanic and Captain were performed; this situation may have been avoided. I had a discussion with the Mechanic that signed the aircraft off that morning. He did not indicate; nor did I ask whether gear pins had been installed.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.