Flight History
On 8 December 2016, a Cessna 350 aircraft, registration N1222G, was returned to service at Seletar Airport, Singapore, after being grounded for three years. An FAA-licensed A&P mechanic performed the return to service. The aircraft owner requested a test flight, and the previous owner, a Cessna 350 pilot, was asked to fly it. The mechanic requested a high-speed brake test to bed in new brake linings.
At about 1732 LT, the pilot and mechanic conducted a high-speed brake test on Runway 21, accelerating to 40–50 knots and applying brakes. Satisfied, the pilot proceeded with a test flight. After taxiing back to the runway threshold, the pilot checked the brakes and found them functioning normally.
At about 1738 LT, the pilot began a rolling take-off. When the aircraft reached 60–65 knots, it veered left. Full right rudder did not correct the deviation. At about 75 knots, the pilot attempted rotation but felt no response, so he aborted the take-off by reducing power and applying brakes at 50 knots. The brakes felt sluggish; the pilot tapped them intermittently. The aircraft stopped about 30 metres into the clearway.
With ATC permission, the aircraft backtracked and exited the runway at Taxiway W3 at 1739 LT. During taxiing, the pilot again noticed sluggish brakes, with the left brake more responsive. After turning onto Taxiway WA, he reported a total loss of brakes. The aircraft coasted and began veering left toward a parked Cessna 172 at parking bay A4. The pilot shut down the engine to slow down. He applied left rudder and then left brake, turning nearly 90 degrees to avoid the Cessna 172, but the aircraft headed toward a jet being towed into bay B2. The pilot pressed the brake pedals hard, and the aircraft stopped at 1743 LT in the middle of Taxilane WB5, nose gear at 60 degrees left.
After stopping, smoke appeared from the main landing gears. The tow crew of the jet saw a fire on the right main landing gear and discharged a powder extinguisher, but the fire persisted. The pilot noticed a burning smell and ordered an evacuation. After the pilot and mechanic evacuated, both main landing gears caught fire, producing black smoke. The tow crew brought another powder extinguisher, then a 45 kg foam extinguisher, which the mechanic used to bring the fire under control. The Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Service arrived at 1746 LT and fully extinguished the fire.
Damage to Aircraft
The fire damaged both landing gears, with the right side of the lower fuselage suffering more heat damage, including blistering paint. The brake fluid reservoir was dry, brake housings and discs were charred, and brake debris and black fluid were found on brake components.
Investigation
The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB) of Singapore investigated the accident. The pilot and mechanic were not injured. The aircraft manufacturer reported seven prior occurrences of wheel or brake fires in the aircraft family. No probable cause was stated in the report.