Originally Posted by
LarryJ
Every airplane with retractable landing gear has an alternate method of extension.
It was likely only one of the three that failed to extend--most likely one of the main gear. The Captain choose to land with them all up instead of the unstable situation of having only one main gear.
The biggest risk to the passengers in a situation like this is being injured on the escape slides. The chance of injury from the landing itself is very low.
With the landing gear on those aircraft, it is housed inside with a 'door' (for want of a better term). Could it be that the doors didn't open rather than the gear not extending down?