MD-11
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 90; Flight Crew Total 12000; Flight Crew Type 5500
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
After takeoff and climb while level at FL300 received a Level 1 Brake Diff Temp alert. #8 Brake was showing 443 degrees; all other brakes were a max of 120 degrees. The Aircraft Operations Manual was referenced for the Level 1 alert; as well as for the Level 2 Brake Overheat so we could review the procedures if the brake temperature continued to climb. Level 1 Brake Temp Diff is Maintain/No consequences. We notified Maintenance about the Level 1 alert via the dispatcher and notified both that we would be descending to FL200 and slowing to lower the gear and cool the brake. We had extra fuel on board and was still 2000 lbs above flight plan fuel. The gear was left extended thru out the descent until 10;000. By then the temperature had reduced to 10 degrees. Once in contact with Approach; we [advised them] to have the trucks and equipment in place in the event the brake overheated above 550 degrees upon landing. A normal approach and landing was accomplished. Minimal braking was used on the right truck to slow to taxi speed. Once clear of the runway the #8 brake was at 80 degrees; in line with the other brakes. The emergency was cancelled but the trucks followed us during taxi in. While taxiing using only the left truck for braking; the #8 brake rose to 375 degrees. [Airport ARFF vehicle] did a temperature scan and reported there was equal temperatures across the rear tires. With the temperature stable at 375 degrees we continued a slow taxi into ramp. Once parked the #8 brake rose to 404 degrees. Maintenance reported the internal #8 brake was over 600 degrees and the brake had disintegrated.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
MD-11 flight crew reported receiving a Level 1 Brake Diff Alert in flight. After parking the #8 brake was found to have disintegrated.