i remember it, in fact i was to meet that a/c and despatch the return to FRA. it was a hydraulic failure.( green system rings a bell ) the gear doors are supposed to stay down like that when the gear is dropped using the alternate method(gravity?) it was uneventful..... the a/c was towed to a remote...

the fluid on the ground is most likely water, from underwing frost melting after the aircraft has been refuelled. -talking from experience. airbiii make alot of strange noises on the ramp, dont ask me what they are tho, i can only assume hydraulic pumps and a/c packs.but as for the PTU ,totally norm...