A321
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
Prior flight landed with MED autobrakes. During taxi to gate; left main brake temperatures exceeded 500C. Brake fans turned on. At gate; after brake temperatures cooled; fans turned OFF. Prior to taxi; left main brake temperatures were 70C/140C; right main brakes 65C/70C. During taxi to the Runway; left inboard brake temperature 315C. Approaching Runway XX; temperatures were left main 95C/315C and right main 70C/90 C. Brake fans turned ON. Brake temperatures cooled; left main 90C/220C and 80C/90C. Brake fans OFF prior to take-off. Began normal take-off; shortly after lift-off; wheels page presented with left main brake wheel temperatures 120C/325C; right main brake temperatures 80C/90C. Shortly later; ECAM for BRAKES HOT presented. I elected to leave gear down. Tower saw gear down; and asked if that was normal. I reported we were working on an issue. [We] switched to Departure Control. Departure asked if we needed to return to field. I replied negative; but would be operating at a reduced speed as we worked on problem. Flew approximately 7 minutes with gear down; continued normally on Standard Instrument Departure. When brake temperatures cooled; gear raised; and continued. During cruise; I notified Dispatcher that we had a possible dragging brake on left main; and had put it in logbook. I requested he contact our destination Air Traffic Control; and let them know we would be requesting longest runway; and would request fire trucks as a precaution. We had a cockpit jumpseat rider; so I went to cabin; and briefed 'A' position and 'C' position flight attendants that we were making a precautionary landing; and fire trucks would meet the aircraft; and inspect left landing gear after landing. I made PA to passengers about 10 minutes before landing. I informed them that; as a precaution; fire trucks would be meeting the aircraft; and would inspect left landing gear after landing. At our destination; with Approach Control; I requested the longest Runway (18C); and fire trucks to meet flight as a precaution for possible dragging brake on left side of aircraft. I did not declare emergency; or request priority handling. At 1;000 FT; brake temperatures were; left main 80C/155C; right main 60C/70C. At touchdown; 75C/140C and 60C/70C; brakes not applied until approximately 100 KTS. Clearing runway; left main began immediate rapid temperature acceleration; temperatures were left main; 120C/325C; right main 140C/160C. With rapid temperature increase; I elected to turn brake fans ON. After clearing runway; fire trucks followed airplane; stopped on taxiway; and shutdown left engine. Firefighters with thermal imaging device checked left main wheels. When all checked OK; restarted engine; and taxied to gate. Ground Control asked if they could close out emergency. I replied affirmative; and that was the first we knew emergency had been declared. Fire trucks followed airplane to gate. No further problems during taxi to gate. At gate; spoke with Dispatch by phone; and contacted Maintenance. I went outside airplane; and spoke with firefighters; who were making final thermal imaging check.
An A321 Number 2 brake was seen overheating after landing but cooled before the next takeoff only to overheat again during taxi and takeoff so the airborne brake cooling procedure was employed. At the next destination the fire trucks inspected the 325C brake and then followed the aircraft to the gate.