What could indicate that an aircraft has a problem with its engine thrust reverse?

The presence of brown smoke from the wheels can be an indicator that an aircraft is experiencing problems with its engine thrust reverse. Thrust reverse systems are designed to redirect engine thrust forward to help slow the aircraft during landing. If these systems malfunction, it may lead to excessive braking on the wheels, which can produce brown smoke due to overheating or friction caused by the brakes.

This brown smoke suggests that the aircraft might not be operating optimally, as it indicates potential overuse of the braking system when the thrust reverse is not functioning as it should. Proper functioning of the thrust reverse would typically help in decelerating the aircraft effectively without relying solely on wheel brakes. Therefore, observing brown smoke can be an important visual cue for airport fire rescue personnel to assess the situation and determine if further investigation or action is needed.

Other indicators, such as abnormal vibrations or engine stalling, while potentially relevant to engine performance issues, do not directly correlate with thrust reverse functioning. Flashing indicator lights may signal various problems, but without the specific context of thrust reversal, they do not provide a definitive indication of issues with that system.