History of the Flight
The aircraft, a DHC-8-402 Dash 8 registered G-FLBC, was performing a scheduled passenger flight from Southampton to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. It was the third sector operated that day by the aircraft and crew. The co-pilot was the handling pilot and, after landing on Runway 06, applied moderate braking. The commander then took control and made little use of the wheel brakes during the 14-minute taxi to the stand. The aircraft was shut down normally. As passenger disembarkation was about to begin through the rear left exit, ground crew alerted the flight crew to a fire in the left main wheel assembly. The crew halted disembarkation through the rear exit, and passengers vacated the aircraft through the forward left exit directly into the terminal. The fire went out after approximately two minutes, although the wheel continued to emit smoke until cooled by the Aerodrome Fire and Rescue Service (AFRS).
Engineering Investigation
The brake units and wheel assemblies were replaced, and the aircraft returned to service the following day. The aircraft operator conducted an engineering investigation of the affected brake units, but this proved inconclusive. The investigation determined that the most likely cause of the fire was that the affected brake unit was not fully released while the aircraft was being taxied. The heat generated by the brake caused the grease in the wheel hub to melt, leak out, and ignite when it came into contact with the hot brake units.
Conclusion
The investigation identified the most likely cause as the brake unit not fully releasing during taxi, leading to heat buildup and ignition of melted grease.