DA20 Undifferentiated
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 7.8; Flight Crew Total 279.7; Flight Crew Type 271.6
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor; Ground Excursion Taxiway
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
After a normal preflight check I flew a VFR flight plan with a passenger; uneventful flight and landing. After a short stop and abbreviated preflight check; I attempted to depart. While taxiing to the runway for departure; the aircraft started to drift/pull to the left at about 2/3 down the taxiway. Winds were essentially calm and the runway/taxiway has about a 5 degree downward slope. As I applied the brakes; right to left; the aircraft continued to pull to the left. Needing to stop to maintain the aircraft on the pavement; I decreased the throttle to idle and continued to apply the breaks. The right brake failed and the aircraft departed the paved surface of the taxiway on the left (non-runway) side. The throttle was at idle; the fuel mixture was pulled to full lean; ignition turned off and fuel pump turned off. Passenger and pilot exited aircraft as smoke was noticed coming from under the right side of the aircraft. Flames and smoke were seen coming from the right wheel cover. The fire extinguisher was removed from behind the passenger seat and the flames were extinguished. A trail of brake fluid was noted on the taxiway for about 10 to 15 yards from the right wheel.The flight school (aircraft owner) was notified via cell phone; photos were taken and the aircraft was secured at the airport per instructions. There were no injuries to passenger or pilot; no airport damage and the aircraft was able to be pushed to the parking ramp.
The aircraft had spent 30 minutes on the ground between the first leg and and the incident taxi and the brakes should not have been overheated in any way. Maintenance found that the brake cylinder seal was damaged and leaking; but whether this damage was caused by the fire could not be determined.
DA20 pilot reports aircraft pulling to the left during taxi but when the right brake is applied to correct it fails and the aircraft departs the taxiway to the left. After exiting the aircraft a fire is noticed on the right wheel and is quickly extinguished with the fire extinguisher from the cabin.