# NTSB CHI00LA278: Piper PA-28-236, N451X, Des Moines, IA, August 31, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 31, 2000, 13:16 local (18:16 UTC) - Place: Des Moines, IA - Location: 41.5340° N, 93.6631° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at DES MOINES INTL (DSM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5340&lon=-93.6631&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50149 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA278 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50149/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA278 ## Probable cause A hydraulic fluid leak which resulted in a landing gear brake fire. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Fire, taxi - to takeoff - fluid,hydraulic - leak (cause) - landing gear,normal brake system - fire (cause) ## Analysis The pilot experienced a left main gear brake fire while taxiing for takeoff. He reported that while taxing the airplane slowed "as if it were taxiing uphill, or a brake were dragging" so he added about 100 rpm of power to continue taxiing. The pilot reported, "When I attempted to set the brakes to check the engine and instruments, I found that I had no brakes." The pilot then requested a taxi clearance back to the fixed base operator on the airport to get the brakes checked. Another pilot on the same frequency announced to the pilot of N451X that his airplane was on fire. The pilot reported that he looked and saw dense, dark smoke coming from under the left wing. He shut down the engine, turned all switches off, and exited the airplane. The pilot reported the fire was in the area of the left landing gear almost directly under the left wing fuel tank. Hydraulic fluid was found on the ramp where the airplane had been parked for several days prior to the accident. The exact origin of the fluid leak could not be determined because of the extent of fire damage to the landing gear. ## Factual narrative On August 31, 2000, at 1316 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-236, N451X, operated by a commercial pilot, experienced a left main gear brake fire while taxiing for takeoff at the Des Moines International Airport, Des Moines, Iowa. The pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and an IFR flight plan was filed. The intended destination was Bloomington, Illinois. The pilot reported that he was taxiing to the runway for takeoff when the airplane slowed "as if it were taxiing uphill, or a brake were dragging." He reported that he added about 100 rpm of power to continue taxiing. The pilot reported, "When I attempted to set the brakes to check the engine and instruments, I found that I had no brakes." He then contacted the ground controller and requested a clearance to taxi back to the fixed base operator on the airport to get the brakes checked. Another pilot, who was on the same frequency, announced to the pilot of N451X that his airplane was on fire. The pilot reported that he looked and saw dense, dark smoke coming from under the left wing. He reported, "I immediately shut down the engine, turned all switches off, and exited the airplane. The fire was in the area of the left landing gear-almost directly under the left wing fuel tank." An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Des Moines, Iowa, Flight Standards District Office, examined the airplane. The inspector reported that hydraulic fluid was found on the ramp where the airplane had been parked for several days prior to the accident. He reported that he was unable to determine exactly where the fluid was leaking from, due to the extent of the fire damage to the landing gear. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N451X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N451X), registered now, S/N 28-7911129, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-236 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-236](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236) (registry code 7102815) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7911129 - Airframe hours: 6889 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Cross Winds Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 2000, 139 hours before - Departed: DSM - Destination: BMI, BLOOMINGTON, IL - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: DSM, Des Moines Int'L ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,709 total, 225 in this make and model, 1,602 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken - Temperature: 196 °F, dew point 154 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: DSM ## 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 20000831009739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000831009739A), Aug 31, 2000: Piper PA28236, Des Moines, IA, No damage. (-23) The aircraft was taxiing for departure when the pilot noticed a brake dragging so he added power and continued to taxi. Then the aircraft reached the… 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.