What could be a consequence of a malfunctioning gear indicator light during landing?

A malfunctioning gear indicator light during landing can lead to the pilot being uninformed about the actual status of the landing gear. This is critical because the gear indicator light provides essential information about whether the landing gear is properly deployed and locked for landing. If this light is not functioning, the pilot may not know if the gear is down and locked, increasing the risk of landing without the gear fully engaged, which could result in a catastrophic landing. The indicator light serves as a vital confirmation that the landing gear is ready for touchdown. Therefore, a malfunctioning indicator directly impacts the pilot's situational awareness and decision-making during a critical phase of flight.

The other options do not accurately reflect the consequence of a malfunctioning gear indicator light; a smoother landing, automatic landing, or gear deployment are not relevant outcomes of this specific malfunction.