What does pulling the Emergency Gear Extension handle do?

• A. Releases the mechanical brakes on the electric gear actuators and allows the gear to free-fall down
• B. Locks the gear in place
• C. Activates a manual extension pump
• D. Illuminates the gear status indicator

Answer: (A)

The emergency gear extension handle works by bypassing the normal power path and directly releasing the brakes on the gear actuators. Once the brakes are released, the gear can descend by gravity to the down-and-locked position, which is how the airplane can achieve gear extension if the electrical/hydraulic system isn’t functioning. This action isn’t about locking the gear, activating a pump, or lighting a status indicator—the gear-down indication will come from the gear system as the gear completes the extension and latches.