Date: 202012
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: ZZZ.TRACON, US
Flight conditions: IMC
Aircraft: Commercial Fixed Wing
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Final Approach
Airspace: Class B ZZZ
ATC / advisory: TRACON ZZZ
Second aircraft: A319
Aircraft component: Landing Gear
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Troubleshooting; Workload; Communication Breakdown
Second reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; First Officer
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Contributing factors: Environment - Non Weather Related; Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: On RNAV to Runway XX due to GS being inop on the ILS; winds; and airport conditions.  Outside FAF; attempted to extend Landing Gear and got only the 3 red UNLOCKED lights.  No landing gear operation.  Our airspeed was around 165 KIAS.  We attempted to recycle the gear and got exact same thing.  We executed a missed approach; [advised ATC]; and attempted to contact Dispatch on ACARS.  We tried several frequencies but could not make voice contact.  ZZZ1 airspace was undergoing some sort of COVID cleaning so not sure if that had anything to do with ARINC in that vicinity.  We just used the ACARS to communicate as best we could.  Dispatch texted that the only thing he was showing was LANDING GEAR NOT DOWN LOCKED (same as us) but had no other system malfunctions that he could see.  We followed the ECAM which instructed us to use the gravity extend.  We did; it worked; and we landed safely.  We texted Dispatch once on the ground that we made it safely; Maintenance came with the tug and towed us to the gate.  Passengers and flight attendants were informed in the air and on the ground as to what was happening.


Second narrative: Just after midnight; outside the FAF to Runway XX at ZZZ; I was the PM and was asked to extend the landing gear. The gear failed to extend. Landing gear not down-locked. Recycled landing gear. No joy. Told Tower we needed to go-around to troubleshoot. Requested priority handling and then transferred controls; I was now PF while the Captain ran the ECAM and coordinated with Dispatch/Maintenance Control/FAs. I requested vectors away from the weather and near the approach so we could quickly join final when complete; requested they roll the trucks; and advised ATC we would need a tow off the runway. The Captain had difficulties talking with Dispatch and Maintenance over ARINC due to our low altitude (3;000) but was able to exchange some messages over ACARS with both. He ran the landing gear gravity extension checklist as directed by the ECAM. Landing gear came down. Captain updated FAs and made a PA to the passengers. We transferred controls and I was then PM for the final approach; visibility was poor due to a weather system. Rough winds and conditions but great landing by the Captain. Full stop on the runway. Crash truck circled and checked the plane out. Tow arrived and we shutdown motors and were towed to the gate.


Synopsis: Air carrier flight crew reported an unsafe landing gear indication. ATC communications were also reported possibly due to a COVID-19 ATC Zero event.