Pilot Debrief

Piper PA32 near Venice, FL — 2019-11-17

Final reportERA20CA036
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Date
2019-11-17
Location
Venice, FL, USA
Airport
VNC
Aircraft
Piper PA32
Registration
N5909V
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

A stuck brake caliper, which overheated while the pilot was taxiing the airplane, caught fire, and subsequently destroyed the airplane.

NTSB narrative

The pilot taxied the airplane 0.5 mile to the hold-short line at the departure runway 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," and the right brake failed. During the turn and once the pilot stopped the airplane, he and the passenger smelled smoke and then saw smoke and fire coming from beneath the airplane. After the pilot and passenger safely egressed the cockpit, the airplane was destroyed by fire. The pilot stated that he thought the brake caliper was stuck, which likely led to the brake caliper catching fire.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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