What consequence might improper maintenance of landing gear lead to?

Improper maintenance of landing gear can significantly increase the likelihood of gear failure, which is a critical concern in aviation safety. The landing gear is essential for safe takeoffs and landings; if it fails, it can lead to catastrophic incidents such as hard landings, inability to retract or extend the gear, or total gear collapse during landing.

Routine inspections and maintenance are necessary to ensure that all components, such as the wheels, brakes, and hydraulic systems, are functioning correctly. Neglecting this maintenance can result in wear and tear that goes unnoticed until it manifests as a failure during operation. Hence, the relationship between maintenance practices and the integrity of the landing gear system cannot be overstated, making option B the most accurate consequence of improper maintenance.