Created Tuesday, Feb 2nd 2021 14:38Z, last updated Tuesday, Feb 2nd 2021 14:38Z
A Republic Airways Embraer ERJ-170, registration N821MD performing charter flight YX-9983 from Lafayette,IN to Baltimore,MD (USA) carrying the Purdue men's basketball team, was enroute at FL330 about 130nm east of Indianapolis,IN (USA) when the aircraft began to deviate from its assigned altitude by about -200 feet. The crew subsequently decided to turn around and divert to Indianapolis reporting a possible hydraulic issue and indicating concerns about icing. The approach controller into Indianapolis began to query arriving aircraft whether they showed any icing, all aircraft indicated they were not experiencing any icing. When the Embraer contacted the approach, the controller indicated they should not encounter any icing and inquired about the possible hydraulic problem affecting brakes and/or gear, the crew indicated they had a gear system failure, but indicating, they would be able to lower the landing gear and vacate the runway after landing. The aircraft continued for a safe landing on runway 05L about 40 minutes after the decision to turn around.
A replacement ERJ-175 registration N135HQ delivered the basketball team to their destination and next match with a delay of about 3 hours.
The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Indianapolis about 14 hours after landing.
