Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 3854; Flight Crew Type 68
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
I landed on Runway XX following a short cross country from ZZZ. After landing; I was given taxi instructions to the FBO via backtaxi on Runway XX/XY. Toward the end of the runway/taxi route the aircraft became sluggish. I tested the brakes and ensured the parking brake was all the way off. This was done  while exiting at taxiway into FBO. Having been cleared to the FBO and having a lineman in sight the brakes seemed to be working normally again however before I attempted to turn down the line of parked aircraft I gave them one more check while planning to stop well short of the lineman and remain clear of any people or personnel on the ramp in case the brakes failed to work or worked uncommanded in an asymmetric fashion. Upon that test the brakes failed. I cut the engine; shut off all electrical power; exited and chalked the aircraft. Smoke was observed emanating from the left main landing gear. FBO personnel were quick to respond and used a fire bottle and fire extinguisher on the left main gear. After that we observed the aircraft for 30 minutes before approaching to observe the damage. It is suspected a brake failure caused a leak of brake fluid on the brakes which were still warm from landing and a long taxi. As it was a holiday weekend; it is going to be Tuesday until the aircraft can be inspected and replacement parts ordered. As such; I returned home via commercial carrier. Upon reviewing my aircraft logs I noted that I made a clerical error in my own notes and believed that the aircraft annual inspection was due by the end of September when in fact it was due at the end of Aug. As such an annual inspection will also be required and ordered before it is flown off field.
PA-28 pilot notices brake problem during after landing taxi. After subsequent failure; he successfully stops and deals with the smoking brake.