FAA, NTSB Investigating Third Phenom 100 Brake Failure

For the third time in the past six months, an Embraer Phenom 100 has suffered a dual tire blowout upon landing after a reported failure in the brake-by-wire system. The latest incident occurred Saturday morning in Arizona as the light twinjet landed at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport According to an airport official, the Phenom had just taken off and retracted its gear when the pilot received a brake-failure warning and immediately notified the tower of his intention to return. Upon landing, the pilot said he “had no brakes and used the ‘parking brake’ to slow the aircraft.” After both main tires blew, the aircraft spun but stayed on the runway. This follows similar Phenom 100 brake failure incidents on September 10 in Brenham, Texas, and on March 4 in Mammoth Lakes, Calif. There were no injuries reported in any of the incidents. The FAA is aware of brake issues involving the Phenom 100 and it is working with its Brazilian counterpart and Embraer to address it. “Embraer has issued service materials for two identified issues, and there is ongoing evaluation of the root causes for at least two additional components that might be contributing,” the FAA stated. Tom Latson, the NTSB’s investigator-in-charge of the Brenham, Texas incident, wants to hear from any Phenom operator who has received a brake failure warning. Embraer didn‘t have a statement prepared at press time.