Overview
On 30 July 2014, a Van's RV-10 (registration SP-YZT), owned by Invest Sp. z o.o., was involved in a serious incident during taxi operations at Warszawa-Babice airport (EPBC). The aircraft was seriously damaged by a fire that originated in the right main landing gear area. The pilot and passenger evacuated safely; no injuries were reported.
Incident Description
The aircraft had been prepared for a flight from Warszawa-Babice to Kołobrzeg-Bagicz and back. After a pre-flight inspection and engine start, the pilot conducted a taxi with a full fuel load. Approximately 30 minutes after parking on the apron under sunny conditions, the pilot began taxiing. Upon making a 90-degree right turn at the intersection of taxiways D1 and B2, the pilot perceived a need for prolonged and deeper application of the right brake to maintain the turn radius, suspecting a right brake issue. The pilot decided to inspect the brake system and taxied about 150 meters further. When attempting to stop using both brakes, the aircraft turned left and stopped on taxiway B2. After receiving clearance from AFIS to taxi onto the apron, the pilot increased power; at that moment, AFIS reported a burning tire. The pilot noticed black smoke from the right wing trailing edge. He shut down the engine and both occupants evacuated. Firefighters arrived and extinguished the fire, which caused significant damage: the right wheel fairing burned completely, the tire was scorched, the gear leg fairing outer surface burned, the flap deformed, and the lower right wing skin deformed and paint scorched.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the aircraft after the incident showed the right brake was not locked. The fire's extent indicated additional fuel was present. The investigation identified that the fuel tank vent line, which lacks a check valve, terminates near the right gear leg fairing. With full tanks, fuel could escape from the vent during taxi, especially as the aircraft tilts. Traces of fuel were found on the left gear leg fairing (the vent location is on the left side, but fuel flow from the vent due to aircraft motion and propeller airflow could carry fuel toward the right gear area). The fuel leaked onto the gear leg fairing, entered the wheel well through gaps, and vaporized due to high temperatures.
Solar heating contributed: the aircraft sat on a concrete apron for about 30 minutes before taxiing, raising skin temperatures 20–25°C above ambient (to 45–50°C) and gear temperatures 10–15°C higher (35–40°C). Additionally, during taxi, the right wheel and fairing were exposed to direct sunlight, further increasing temperatures.
Aviation gasoline requires an ignition source or high temperature (autoignition) to ignite. Under normal conditions, such temperatures are not reached. The fire became apparent shortly after the pilot noted a brake anomaly, suggesting a causal link.
Conclusion
The serious incident involved a fire resulting from fuel leaking from the tank vent and accumulating in the right wheel area, where elevated temperatures from solar heating and possibly brake operation contributed to ignition. The aircraft was seriously damaged.