# NTSB CEN24LA014: Cirrus SR22, N969JB, Saginaw, MI, October 6, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 6, 2023, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Saginaw, MI - Coordinates: 43.532927, -84.079636 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5329&lon=-84.0796&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-to runway: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 22, 2025 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Grand Rapids FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193247 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA014 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193247/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193247 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA014 ## Probable cause The failure of the right brake assembly due to excessive brake lining wear, which resulted in a thermally damaged piston O-ring, hydraulic fluid leak, and subsequent fire. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-to runway: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Taxi-to runway: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150); cases with it: [Cirrus Design SR22, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=2130001), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was taxiing from the fixed-base operator’s building to the runway. As he increased brake pressure to stop the airplane before the runway hold short line, it turned to the left and completed a full 360° turn before coming to rest. The passenger then offered to try his brake pedals but the airplane only turned to the left; the pilot and passenger concluded they had no control of the right brake. The passenger then observed a fire emanating from under the right wing. The airport’s aircraft rescue and firefighting personnel responded and extinguished a fire associated with the right brake assembly. The right wing’s lower surface sustained substantial thermal damage during the ground fire. A postaccident examination revealed that the right brake linings had exceeded the manufacturer’s serviceable wear limit. The left brake linings were also significantly worn but within the serviceable wear limit. Additionally, the left brake assembly revealed a darkened temperature indicator sticker that indicated the left brake assembly had previously exceeded the manufacturer’s temperature limitation. The right brake assembly sustained significant thermal damage during the ground fire and its associated temperature indicator stickers were not observed. The excessively worn brake linings would have resulted in increased brake temperatures being transferred to the brake pressure plate and pistons. The loss of right brake effectiveness and subsequent fire likely occurred when hydraulic fluid leaked past a thermally damaged O-ring installed on one of the right brake pistons, then caught fire when it contacted the hot brake assembly. ## Factual narrative A review of the airframe maintenance logbook indicated that the last annual inspection of the airplane was completed on May 16, 2023, about 5 months before the accident, at an airframe total time of 2,572.7 hours. The airframe logbook entry for the last annual inspection did not refer to the condition of or any work completed on the airplane’s brake system. However, the work order associated with the last annual inspection included the discrepancy, “Brake discs beyond allowable limits (replace parts),” but there were no corrective actions taken because when rechecked the brake components were reportedly “within allowable limits.” Based on the work order invoice, there was no labor charge associated with the brake system inspection despite the aircraft owner being charged for 8 replacement brake linings. Further review of the airframe maintenance logbook revealed the last time the brake linings were replaced was on March 19, 2015, at an airframe total time of 1,893.7 hours. At the time of the accident, the brake linings had accumulated 807.8 hours since they were installed. On October 6, 2023, about 0945 eastern daylight time, a Cirrus SR22 airplane, N969JB, was substantially damaged while taxiing at the MBS International Airport (MBS), Saginaw, Michigan. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he taxied from the fixed-base operator’s building to runway 23 via taxiway C to taxiway C4 and held short at the approach end of runway 23. As the pilot increased brake pressure to stop the airplane, it turned to the left and completed a full 360° turn before coming to rest. The passenger then offered to try his brake pedals, but the airplane only turned to the left; the pilot and passenger concluded they had no control of the right brake. The passenger then observed a fire emanating from under the right wing. The airport’s aircraft rescue and firefighting personnel responded and extinguished a fire associated with the right brake assembly. The right wing’s lower surface sustained substantial thermal damage during the ground fire. An examination of the left brake assembly revealed a darkened temperature indicator sticker that indicated the left brake assembly had previously exceeded the manufacturer’s temperature limitation. The right brake assembly sustained significant thermal damage during the ground fire and its associated temperature indicator stickers were not observed. As part of the investigation, an aviation mechanic measured the thickness of the airplane’s brake linings. The measured thickness of the brake linings was reported as follows: Left inner brake lining, 0.144 inch Left outer brake lining, 0.120 inch Right inner brake lining, 0.066 inch Right outer brake lining, 0.052 inch The postaccident examination of the airplane’s brake system established that the brake components were consistent with the original brake designbefore the release of Cirrus Service Bulletin No. 2X-32-12. According to the Cirrus SR22 Maintenance Manual, if not modified by Service Bulletin No. 2X-32-12, the serviceable wear limit for the brake linings was 0.1 inch. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N969JB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N969JB), registered now, S/N 1280, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CIRRUS SR22 - Registry model: [Cirrus Design SR22](https://openairdocs.org/model/cirrus-design-sr22) (registry code 2130001) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1280 - Year built: 2005 - Airframe hours: 2701.5 - Engines: Continental IO-550-N 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 2023, 128.8 hours before - Airport: MBS, MBS International Airport - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Airframe parachute, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 208 total, 86 in this make and model, 180 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: MBS - METAR: METAR KMBS 061353Z 25010KT 10SM CLR 14/09 A2988 RMK AO2 SLP119 T01390094= ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20231006016219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231006016219A), Oct 6, 2023: Cirrus Design Corp SR22, Saginaw, MI, Substantial damage. On October 10, 2023, at 1746 local time, an Cirrus SR22 aircraft, [privacy data omitted] received substantial damage following a right landing gear fire during… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 22, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193247. 14.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19374723&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=01%20-%20Pilot%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - NTSB record of conversation (eric engler) (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 104 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19375568&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=02%20-%20NTSB%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Eric%20Engler)-Rel.pdf - Cirrus SR22 airplane maintenance manual (excerpts) (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19374733&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=03%20-%20Cirrus%20SR22%20Airplane%20Maintenance%20Manual%20(Excerpts)-Rel.pdf - Airframe logbook (excerpts) (item 4, PDF, 25 pages, 7.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19374859&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=04%20-%20Airframe%20Logbook%20(Excerpts)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Engine logbook (excerpt) (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19374669&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=05%20-%20Engine%20Logbook%20(Excerpt)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Work order invoice for last annual inspection (item 6, PDF, 12 pages, 399 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19375167&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=06%20-%20Work%20Order%20Invoice%20for%20Last%20Annual%20Inspection_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 7, PDF, 7 pages, 6 photos, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19374743&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=07%20-%20Investigation%20Photographs-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.