pressure could stem from many areas such as working conditions, to experiencing marital, family, or health problems. The laboratory was able to determine that the filament in this bulb was not burning at the time of impact. Additionally the flight crew had reported to Miami Air Traffic Control Tower that they had an unsafe gear indication. The aircraft made a low approach to enable the air traffic controllers working in the tower to peruse the landing gear for the flight crew.The sun was already below the horizon at the time of the low approach and the tower personnel were not able to ascertain if the landing gear was completely extended. Subsequently, the flight crew received the report of “ . . . gear appear to be down and locked,” with emphasis on “appear!” Moreover, the controller further reported that because of the poor lighting it was difficult to tell if the gear was in the locked position. Even with perfect lighting controllers will give the same report. Controllers are repeatedly told the pilot is ultimately responsible for the aircraft. Because of this, controllers are hesitant to make any definitive statements about anything that is not backed up in a written regulation.The flight crew then requested authorization to maneuver or fly in a holding pattern to enable them to work out their problem. The approach (radar) controller vectored the aircraft out over the Everglades, about twenty miles northwest of Miami Airport and instructed the aircraft to stay in a specific block of airspace. The controller was more concerned about the upper vertical limits of this airspace as opposed to the lower or horizontal limits. In this location, the aircraft would be free to maneuver under other arriving and departing air traffic.The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) handbook 7110.65 contains guidance, rules, and standard phraseology used in the control of air traffic. As time progressed the controller,...
