A Taiwan Air Force trainer jet skidded off the runway this week after its brakes failed, and the military says it was a genuine mechanical fault, not pilot error — bad news for the jet's safety record but no one was hurt.

• An AJT Brave Eagle advanced trainer ran off the runway during training at Gangshan air base on November 10; both the student and instructor on board were unhurt.
• Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Ching-jan told lawmakers an investigation confirmed the cause was mechanical, specifically a serious brake failure.
• The jet type has had nine brake-related incidents in the past three years, but this is the only one where the brakes failed badly enough to send the plane off the runway — backup safety measures worked in the other eight.
• A lawmaker pressed the Air Force on repeated brake and readiness problems with the jet, calling it a possible flight-safety warning sign that needs a fix.

Outlook: Expect the Air Force to face more legislative pressure to review the Brave Eagle's brake system and prevent further runway incidents.