Dispatching aircraft with “deactivated” brake functions should only be done out of necessity and prompt careful performance considerations by pilots tasked with flying with inoperative or compromised brake components, the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) cautions.
In a recent safety bulletin, IFALPA warns of potential consequences of inoperative brakes, including reduced control during taxiing, potential issues performing rejected takeoffs, and some “unintended consequences” on more advanced aircraft.
“As aircraft become more technologically advanced, some systems become linked, or depend on data from other systems to function correctly,” the bulletin said. “The anti-skid system, for example, works in pair with the braking system to prevent the wheel from skidding. Operating with a deactivated system in contravention of the minimum equipment list could result in unknown consequences for other systems.”
IFALPA’s bulletin does not cite specific examples of operators dispatching aircraft with brake issues. The bulletin comes on the heels of a Moscow Times report that said Aeroflot has been operating some aircraft with deactivated brakes.
The report appears to be based on an Aeroflot bulletin that reminds pilots of the hazards of operating with at least some brakes deactivated. The airline has been operating some aircraft with inactive brake components, according to several reports.
Deactivating brakes is permissible when following specific guidance detailed in master minimum equipment lists (MMEL). The MMEL guidance differs based on the aircraft type and limits the deactivations to a specific number of wheels. It is not clear if Aeroflot is following MMEL protocol.
“Operators should strictly adhere to all applicable aviation regulations and safety standards, including those related to aircraft maintenance and operation,” the IFALPA bulletin said. “Deactivating brakes should only be done in compliance with approved procedures and with the knowledge and approval of the appropriate regulatory authority.”
Sanctions put in place following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine mean Aeroflot and other Russian carriers are not supposed to have access to spare parts for Western-built aircraft. But a recent report said Aeroflot is finding ways around the sanctions. The issue caught the attention of the Flight Safety Foundation, which cautioned that Russia’s airlines should be carefully scrutinized by regulators that have not banned them from operating into their airspace.
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