Landing gear unable to retract on commuter jet?

Question

I was on a commuter jet leaving New York (LGA) for Boston when the pilot informed the passengers that the landing gear would not retract and that the plane would have to immediately return to Laguardia. I did not think much about it until I noticed NY Port Authority fire trucks and ambulances waiting for our arrival at Laguardia.

For you pilots out there, what is the safety concern that a pilot would have in a situation like this and does it rise to the level of needing to scramble emergency vehicles for the arriving aricraft? Was the plane, crew and passengers in any danger due to the inability of the pilots to retract the landing gear?

BTW - The pilots executed a near perfect landing back at LGA. The plane returned to the gate and the passengers put on another airplane.

Answer 1

Happened to me a year ago on an Air Canada a320 leaving Edmonton for Vancouver. We just turned around, and got on later flights.

Answer 2

Yep......good move...........your alive? .......... and not burned to a crisp.........