Accident Details
On July 10, 2013, about 1500 central daylight time, a Cirrus SR22, registration N56FT, experienced a brake fire while taxiing after landing at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (KIAH), Houston, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to Cirrus Uno LLC and operated by a private individual under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight operated on an instrument flight rules flight plan. The flight originated from Garner Field Airport (KUVA), Uvalde, Texas, about 1310.
After landing on runway 27, the pilot taxied toward a fixed base operator (FBO) and reported that the airplane had hot brakes. FBO employees informed air traffic control tower personnel that the airplane appeared to be on fire. The pilot exited the airplane, and the fire consumed portions of the fuselage and cockpit.
Flight Data
Data from the airplane's Avidyne Entegra Primary Flight Display and Multi-Function Display was downloaded by the NTSB laboratories. The data revealed that the airplane landed at KIAH about 1447 while traveling about 100 knots, and brakes were applied shortly after landing. The airplane exited the runway using the high-speed taxiway at Sierra Golf and then turned onto taxiway Sierra Alpha. It taxied west on Sierra Alpha at 10-30 knots ground speed and 1,000-1,500 engine rpm. The airplane slowed to below 10 knots to make a right turn onto taxiway Sierra Charlie at 1450:18. It proceeded north on Sierra Charlie at 5-10 knots before turning left onto taxiway Romeo Alpha at 1451:42. The airplane proceeded west on Romeo Alpha while making several 45-degree turns at speeds ranging from 3-24 knots with the engine operating from 1,200-1,550 rpm. At 14:55:12, the airplane turned left onto taxiway Whiskey Bravo. It proceeded southeast on Whiskey Bravo between 10-30 knots with the engine operating from 1,400-1,600 rpm before slowing and reaching a stop at 1458:40 off the southwest side of taxiway Whiskey Bravo between taxiways Whiskey Lima and Whiskey Mike. The PFD stopped recording data at 1459:18. The airplane had traveled about 3.7 miles from the approximate first point of brake application. The outside air temperature was approximately 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and the wind was about 3 knots.
Pilot Operating Handbook Warning
The pilot operating handbook "Taxiing" section states: "When taxiing, directional control is accomplished with rudder deflection and intermittent braking (toe taps) as necessary. Use only as much power as is necessary to achieve forward movement." It contains a warning: "Maximum continuous engine speed for taxiing is 1,000 rpm on flat, smooth, hard surfaces. Power settings slightly above 1,000 rpm are permissible to start motion, for turf, soft surfaces, and on inclines. Use minimum power to maintain taxi speed. If the 1,000 rpm taxi power limit and proper braking procedures are not observed, the brake system may overheat and result in brake damage or brake fire."