Embraer Opens Crisis Room Over Global E2 GPS Fault
A critical GPS failure affecting Embraer E2 jets worldwide has forced airlines to cancel flights, prompting the manufacturer to open a crisis room with
Embraer has opened a crisis room with avionics supplier Honeywell after a critical GPS fault impacted the global fleet of its E190-E2 and E195-E2 jets, forcing airlines to cancel flights. The issue was first detected at Brazilian carrier Azul Linhas Aéreas at 5:30 PM local time on Tuesday.
Over 200 E2 jets are in service with 24 airlines worldwide, all fitted with the Honeywell Primus Epic 2.0 navigation system. Embraer stated it is jointly investigating the event with Honeywell to find the cause and assess corrective measures, promising updates from its technical support team.
Airlines Ground Fleets and Cancel Flights
Azul grounded 43 aircraft upon discovering the problem. In Canada, Porter Airlines canceled a series of flights scheduled for its E2 jets. European operators Binter Canarias, KLM, and Luxair also canceled flights. It remains unconfirmed if Asia-based operators Royal Jordanian and Hunnu Air grounded their fleets. Flightradar24 noted it was tracking some ongoing E2 service.
Embraer Technical Services issued a bulletin to operators worldwide detailing a temporary fix. The bulletin stated: "A system reset has been reported as a temporary solution to restore normal GPS signal reception; however, the failure condition may occur after the reset."
Operational Disruption Across Continents
Cancellations and delays are compounding at busy hubs in Canada, Brazil, and Europe. Airlines flying the E2 are recommending customers check itineraries before heading to airports. In Brazil, bottlenecks at airfields are mounting as planes remain grounded.
LATAM avoided operational issues as its ordered E2 jets are not yet in service. Similarly, GOL does not operate the affected models. Aside from Azul, the only other impacted operator in Central or South America is Mexicana de Aviación, though its fleet is reportedly half the size of Azul and Porter's.
The Navigation System and Temporary Fix
The Honeywell Primus Epic 2.0 system brings technology typically found on long-haul widebodies to regional jets. Its Interactive Navigation allows pilots to use cursor-controlled trackballs on main displays to alter routes in real-time. It integrates a 3D synthetic vision system and an advanced 3D weather radar.
Currently, the only known temporary fix is a full system reset. Ramp workers pull the main electrical circuit breakers to cut power to the electronics bays, forcing a cold restart. Given the risk, many carriers have chosen to ground planes until a permanent software patch is developed by Honeywell engineers.
