EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Diverted; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
In flight we received an air/ground sensor failure followed shortly after by a thrust reverser disagree message. We consulted the QRH and contacted MX via ACARS. The concern was that we would be operating an aircraft with possible reduced braking at an outstation with a short runway and once we extended the landing gear that they would not retract. We were approximately 100 miles from ZZZ and I suggested we divert there rather than return. MX and Dispatch agreed so we amended the flight plan and diverted to ZZZ. We ran the QRH and noted all the potential problems with the failure (i.e. no spoilers; reversers; potential lack of nose wheel steering.) The weather at ZZZ was clear below 4000 ft with almost unlimited visibility as well as a long runway that more than met our needs. We finished the checklist and were vectored on approach to ILS 24L when Tower commanded us to abort the approach just inside the FAF and immediately turn left to 150 and climb to 4000 ft. Apparently there was an aircraft which had declared an emergency and was losing their ability to control the aircraft so ATC had them go in front of us. The go-around was uneventful except we were vectored around through some moderate icing and picked up a significant amount on the gear since we were unable to retract them because of the sensor. We ran the appropriate checklists and got immediately back on the same arrival and exited the icing as soon as practical. We landed without incident and were able to taxi to the gate where MX met us and swapped out the aircraft. The checklists really covered everything and the diversion was pretty standard until we had to execute a missed approach. We weren't certain whether the gear would come up; but we strongly suspected they would be stuck in the down position and discussed the consequences and what our actions would be. We were not expecting the moderate icing; it wasn't mentioned in the AIRMETs; ATIS; or by ATC. The severity of it was surprising and could have caused significant problems had we not been able to exit so quickly.
EMB-145LR Captain reported diverting to a nearby alternate after losing the air/ground sensor in flight.