Incident Overview
A pilot experienced a left main gear brake fire while taxiing for takeoff in an aircraft identified as N451X. The incident occurred on the airport ramp. The pilot reported that during taxi, the airplane slowed "as if it were taxiing uphill, or a brake were dragging," prompting him to add about 100 rpm of power to continue moving.
Sequence of Events
While taxiing, the pilot attempted to set the brakes to check the engine and instruments but found that there were no brakes. He then requested a taxi clearance back to the fixed base operator to have the brakes inspected. Shortly thereafter, another pilot on the same frequency announced to the pilot of N451X that his airplane was on fire. The pilot looked and observed dense, dark smoke emanating from under the left wing.
In response, the pilot shut down the engine, turned off all switches, and exited the airplane. The fire was located in the area of the left landing gear, almost directly beneath the left wing fuel tank.
Investigation Details
Following the incident, hydraulic fluid was found on the ramp where the airplane had been parked for several days prior. However, the exact origin of the fluid leak could not be determined due to the extent of fire damage to the landing gear.