Date: 201405
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: A321
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Climb
Airspace: Class B ATL
ATC / advisory: TRACON A80
Aircraft component: Gear Pins
Component problem: Improperly Operated
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Not Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Second reporter function: Technician
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Aircraft Equipment Problem Dissipated; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Procedure
Primary problem: Human Factors

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.


Second narrative: I was assigned to work [aircraft] at a remote gate to remove and replace the left and right nose wheel assemblies. [I] put a jack in place to jack aircraft. Without thinking about aircraft gear pins; I substituted a 6' [socket] extension for a nose landing gear safety pin. Later; while filling out paperwork back in the shop; I then remembered and thought [I would] remove the extension when returning log books to aircraft. Someone else returned log books to aircraft. I completely forgot about removing the 6' extension.


Synopsis: 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.