What can indicate a malfunction in the landing gear system?

A malfunction in the landing gear system can often be indicated by an abnormal gear indicator light. This light serves as a visual indication of the system's operational status. If the light is illuminated in a way that deviates from the expected norm—such as being illuminated when it should not be, or not lighting up when the gear should be in the down and locked position—it can signal potential issues. Such abnormalities might suggest that the landing gear is not functioning properly, which could involve mechanical failures, hydraulic issues, or problems with the electrical indicators themselves.

In contrast, a green gear indicator light typically indicates that the landing gear is down and locked, reflecting normal operation. Normal landing sounds suggest that the landing is occurring as expected without issues, and an inspection checklist, while important, does not provide real-time diagnostic feedback like the indicator lights do. Hence, only the abnormal gear indicator light directly points to a possible malfunction.