What happened
On Tuesday, March 21, 2000, at 16:50, a Robin DR 400-120, registration F-BXRB, was taxiing at Nantes-Atlantique Airport (AD Nantes) for a flight. After approximately five minutes of taxiing along a 2,000-meter runway toward the takeoff position for runway 03, the pilot observed smoke emanating from beneath the left wing. The pilot notified air traffic control and requested to return to the parking area.
As the smoke thickened, the controller instructed the pilot to evacuate the aircraft. Upon shutting down the engine and exiting the cockpit, the left wing caught fire. Airport fire services responded to the scene and successfully extinguished the flames. The incident resulted in the destruction of the left wing and the left main landing gear.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical failure of the braking system. Investigators examined the wreckage and discovered that the brake caliper had broken into several pieces. Detailed inspection of the piston revealed significant wear, with evidence indicating that the piston was not operating in its proper axis.
Technical analysis established that the fire was ignited by hydraulic fluid leaking onto the high-temperature brake assembly. This leak was a direct consequence of the structural failure of the caliper.