If a gear malfunction occurs while lowering the gear, what action should you take?

In the event of a gear malfunction while lowering the landing gear, the recommended action is to shut down the engines. This procedure is crucial because a gear malfunction can compromise the aircraft's ability to land safely. By shutting down the engines, the pilot minimizes the risk of further complications, such as generating excessive speed or increased drag that could adversely affect control.

Additionally, the situation may require a controlled descent and approach to prepare for alternate landing options or a possible emergency landing. Managing the aircraft state effectively in such emergencies is critical to ensuring the safety of the crew and passengers.

The other options, while they might seem plausible in different contexts, do not align with the immediate priority of ensuring control of the aircraft during a gear-related emergency. For instance, recycling the gear might not address the original malfunction, immediately landing could lead to a dangerous situation without confirming gear status, and notifying maintenance typically happens after the immediate flight safety concerns are handled.