The airline transport-rated pilot taxied the Piper PA-32 a half mile to the hold-short line at the runway at the airport in Venice, Florida, where he intended to complete an engine run-up.
According to the pilot, the right brake “didn’t feel right” as he approached the hold-short line, so he completed a 360° turn to “test the brakes at a higher than normal speed.”
During the turn, smoke and then fire was seen coming from beneath the airplane.
Once the airplane was stopped, the pilot and his passenger smelled smoke and then saw the smoke and fire.
After the pilot and passenger safely got out of the cockpit, the airplane was destroyed by fire.
The pilot stated that he thought the brake caliper was stuck, and while he expected the caliper to be smoking, he had not anticipated the fire.
Probable Cause: A stuck brake caliper, which overheated while the pilot was taxiing the airplane, caught fire, and subsequently destroyed the airplane.
This November 2019 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Come on GA News!
The WITNESS was an ATP; the accident PIC was a Private Pilot. Their accounts don’t quite jive; I’m going with the Witness’s version.
Lots of fluff in the Private Pilot’s NTSB statement points to Get-There-Itis & just being dumb.
Another Cherokee 6 bites the dust, but glad they were unhurt.
Yup, another over rating flight hours and over looking the obvious. Wasn’t on the checklist…lol
To flame up you have the tire, the rubber piston boots on the brake cylinder, possible brake fluid, rubber brake line, overheated grease expanding out of the wheel bearing seal and any residual fuel under the wing.
Our local flight school had a similar incident a few years back in a Cherokee. Nothing wrong with the brakes, other then the pilot failed to release the brake handle completely, resulting in a dragging brake and fire. Damage was limited to one wing, which had to be replaced.
So much for having a “feel of the airplane”. If he would have slowed the airplane while taxiing, he should have noted the airplane wanting to turn into the locked brake caliper wheel. Flight hours are one thing, critical thinking of what makes the airplane do what it is “telling” you is another. Some pilots just need a “tap on the shoulder”, others a slap on the head.
WOW.! who knew that a brake disc could get hot enough to ignite the tire, and then the fuel in the tank.?!
This makes me feel a bit safer flying a Cessna, with the fuel tank 4+ feet above the tire, so that all that will burn up is the tire and wheel pant….[ and I can see the mains if they do have a problem.]