Incident Overview
An airline transport-rated pilot was taxiing the airplane approximately 0.5 miles to the hold-short line at the departure runway, intending to perform an engine run-up. As the pilot approached the hold-short line, the right brake "didn't feel right," prompting him to execute a 360-degree turn to "test the brakes at a higher than normal speed."
Fire and Evacuation
During the turn, smoke was observed coming from beneath the airplane, followed by fire. After stopping the airplane, the pilot and his passenger smelled smoke and then saw both smoke and fire. They safely egressed the cockpit, and subsequently, the airplane was destroyed by fire.
Pilot's Account
The pilot stated that he believed the brake caliper had become stuck. He expected the caliper to be smoking but had not anticipated that a fire would develop.