Date: 201309
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Embraer Phenom 100
Operator: Government
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: VFR
Mission: Training
Flight phase: Initial Climb
Airspace: Class D ZZZ
ATC / advisory: Tower ZZZ
Aircraft component: Communication Systems
Component problem: Failed
Reporter organization: Government
Reporter function: Captain; Instructor; Pilot Not Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; General Declared Emergency
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: I was instructing in a Phenom 100. I had a student in the right seat and a student observer in the back. We had completed a practice [localizer back course] approach; did a touch and go and then stayed in the pattern for the option. The student was flying during the training and after our second touch and go; while on the upwind leg in the pattern I noticed a strong electrical smell. I asked the student if he noticed [it] and he too noticed the smell; at that point the observer in the back who was on a headset and listening in; said she smelled it as well. In my opinion; it smelled like electrical piece of equipment was burning. I attempted to contact the Tower on COM 1 which we had been using during our training and made multiple radio calls while we turned to crosswind; but was unable to reach them. At that point; I took control of the aircraft; asked the student to squawk 7700 and to also try to contact the Tower on COM 2. The smell was still noticeable at that point and we were fortunate to make contact with the Tower on COM 2. I took control of the radio at that point and declared an emergency to the Tower. I asked the student to run the normal before landing checklist and we completed our visual pattern to a normal landing. I did notice prior to landing that COM 1 had completely failed as indicated by a RED X which finally appeared over the frequencies; additionally we had a AURAL WARNING FAULT message. Once we landed safely; I assessed the situation - the smell had subsided and there was no indication of fire or smoke. ATC asked for our intentions and I told them we were able to safely taxi the ramp under our own power. After reaching the ramp we shut down the aircraft and met crash/fire and rescue. They checked out the aircraft to ensure there was no fire and there was not. At this point; our maintenance technicians are investigating what caused the electrical smell and subsequent failure of COM 1.




Synopsis: An instructor pilot and two students in a Phenom 100 identified a strong electrical smell during climbout. When they attempted to contact the Tower Controller; they were unable. When they made contact on the second radio; they declared an emergency and landed safely. Indications are that the Number 1 communications radio failed for an unknown reason.