A U.S.-registered Bombardier Global 7500 en route from Teterboro Airport (KTEB) to Costa Smeralda Airport (LIEO) in Sardinia, Italy, diverted to Gander International Airport (CYQX) after receiving reverser caution messages and an uncommanded power reduction. The August 24 incident was reported by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB).
The jet was flying IFR at FL410 when the flight crew received two caution messages: L REVERSER FAIL and L REVERSER LOCK FAIL, accompanied by a power reduction to flight idle of its left side engine. According to the TSB report, the crew completed the appropriate checklist, which required reducing airspeed to 170 kias and landing at the nearest suitable airport.
After reducing airspeed, the crew declared an emergency and coordinated with Canadian air traffic services (ATS) to descend to 10,000 feet. “An extended pattern was flown to achieve a landing weight below maximum limits and the crew coordinated with ATS for a diversion to [CYQX], where a landing was made without further incident,” the report states.
The TSB report said the aircraft operator coordinated troubleshooting with General Electric, the manufacturer of the Global 7500 Passport turbofans. A faulty engine electronic controller, a critical element of the fadec, was identified. “We’ve communicated with the operator,” a GE spokesperson told AIN. “A software fix is introduced in [new production aircraft] and is being deployed in the field via a service bulletin.”