Date: 202106
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: ZZZ.Tower, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Retractable Gear
Operator: FBO
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: VFR
Mission: Training
Flight phase: Initial Approach
Airspace: Class D ZZZ; Class E ZZZ
ATC / advisory: Tower ZZZ
Aircraft component: Nose Gear
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Rotorcraft; Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Instrument
Human factors: Time Pressure; Troubleshooting; Situational Awareness
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: Left and nose gear lights failed to illuminate. First action was to toggle nav light switch and test the bulbs; since in this aircraft the gear lights dim when the nav light is on. Once it was confirmed that the bulbs were fine; landing gear handle was toggled. When it was returned to the DOWN position; the left and right main lights illuminated; but the nose gear light remained unlit. We reported to the ZZZ1 CTAF we would extend our downwind.I asked my passenger; a low-time private pilot; to read the checklist for a gear light failure. This included toggling the gear handle again; which we did to no avail; and utilizing the emergency gear release lever; which had no discernible effect. During this time; we noticed the ammeter showing a very high charge.A pilot on the CTAF asked if we intended to stay in the pattern and I reported our problem. They offered assistance; so I turned back to the airport and asked if anyone could visually check our nose gear. A pilot on the ground at midfield confirmed our nose gear was down during a low approach. With this information; I decided to return to ZZZ; where the aircraft is based; about 30 miles away.I initially planned to [advise ATC] at ZZZ.I called ZZZ Tower 20 miles out and explained the situation; and my concern that the nose gear was not locked; even though it was down. The Tower asked if we would like to do a flyby of the Tower for them to check the gear; which I accepted. The Tower asked for fuel amount and time; and passengers; to which I replied we had 60 gallons and plenty of time; 2 souls.We did a low approach over [Runway] XXR; and the Tower confirmed that the gear was down and locked. They asked if we would prefer to land on the north runway; which was the active runway. I said yes and planned a soft field landing to [Runway] XXL. Since the gear was locked and I was being given priority and any resources I needed; I amended my decision to [advise ATC]; as I felt it would not get me anything else I might need to land safely that I wasn't already being provided.My passenger pointed out that the gear pump circuit breaker was popped. She tried pushing it in; which caused the ammeter to spike; so we pulled it out and left it out.The Tower asked if I wanted additional resources waiting on the ground. I decided no additional resources were needed; and proceeded to land using soft field technique; holding the nose gear off for most of the ground roll. Tower again confirmed nose gear was locked and I made a sharp turn to exit the runway once I confirmed steering was good.I was cleared to taxi to the plane's flight school where an airport ground personnel met me to get a report. He then asked us to call the Tower; which also asked for a report detailing my route of flight.After the plane was repaired; Maintenance reported that the gear switch actuator was replaced; but I never got an explanation for the gear pump electrical problem.




Synopsis: Private Pilot reported an unsafe gear condition indication while on initial approach. Ground personal reported that they visually observed the gear was down and pilot made a successfull landing.