Ryanair B738, flight FR-8085 incident

Landing gear problem.

Simon Hradecky writes in the Aviation Herald:

A Ryanair Boeing 737-800, registration EI-DWT performing flight FR-8085 from Brussels Charleroi (Belgium) to Riga (Latvia), was on approach to Riga when the crew reported a gear unsafe indication, performed a low approach which confirmed one of the main gear struts was not down. The aircraft climbed back to 6000 feet and entered a holding to trouble shoot the problem. About 45 minutes after aborting the first approach the crew managed to lower and lock all gear and landed safely on Riga's runway 18.

Riga Airport reported that there were already considerations to have the aircraft ditch in the Gulf of Riga just north of the aerodrome.

Latvia's Directorate General of Civil Aviation confirmed the aircraft had a problem with the landing gear. The aircraft subsequently entered a holding area to work the problem, then performed another overflight (according to radar data at 2500 feet MSL) for another visual check by experts from the ground which confirmed all gear had reached the fully down position and commenced a safe landing immediately thereafter.

Media (www.apollo.lv) reports unusual pilot activities asking for passengers to pray God.

Digging in the internet it seems that mostly there are no fatalities in landing gear accidents. So, the most interesting question here is why there were some profesional thoughts about ditching in the sea...

And here is that baby

This is my favorite comment from avherald:

Combine the vivid imagination and crap english knowledge of people flying once in 2-3 years and that is what you get when you interview them. You could also tell that a moon landing was considered.. :)

1) Final announcement about landing was made on approach which is over the gulf - here you have ditching.

2) At some moment passengers were asked to assume brace position. To some "brace" may sound like "pray". The position itself sparks some associations - here's the praying part.