What happened
On April 5, 2018, an AT-802 aircraft, registration EC-LSB, operated by FAASA Aviacion, S.A., was performing a ferry flight from Assunção, Paraguay, to Recife, Brazil. The flight had been underway for approximately 9 hours and 40 minutes.
Upon landing at Aeródromo Guararapes - Gilberto Freyre (SBRF), the pilot attempted to use the brakes during the landing roll. However, the pilot noted that the right brake pedal sank without providing effective braking force. Simultaneously, the left wheel locked up, causing the aircraft to yaw sharply to the left. The aircraft veered off the runway and came to a stop approximately 25 meters from the paved surface. The left tire burst during the excursion, and the right tire bead separated from the rim. The pilot and one passenger were uninjured, and the aircraft sustained light damage.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the braking system and found a fluid leak within the right wheel's cylinder assembly, specifically originating from a piston assembly seal. This leak had caused the brake fluid reservoir to become empty, resulting in a loss of braking pressure on the right side. The investigation also noted that the aircraft was not equipped with an anti-skid system.
Furthermore, investigators were unable to verify the adequacy of recent maintenance because the aircraft's logbooks were not available for inspection. The investigation also considered the impact of the long flight duration on the crew's performance.