Jim Wright
Well Known Member
Had a bad experience with my RV-8A. I purchased a low time (200 hrs) 8A and have about 5 hours in it . I was taxiing out from the hangar with about a 12 knot quartering tailwind, and was experiencing difficulty steering down the taxiway, having to use brakes to keep it straight. I experienced the same thing on previous days. As I turned up wind on the run-up pad I smelled something hot which was obviously the brakes. Then smoke began filling the cockpit. I jumped out to investigate and saw that the left wheel pant was on fire and dripping burning resin on the asphalt. I grabbed the small fire extinguisher and sprayed the pant trying to get as much agent into the burning area as I could. The fire went out and the extinguisher was empty. Smoke continued to pour from the pant and I was afraid that it would reignite. I called for help on CTAF without much response. There is no fire department on PWT . I used my cell and called 911. My buddy finally came to my rescue and we towed the 8 back to the hangar. Curiously the smoke entered the cockpit from the MLG fairing. It acted as a chimney allowing the smoke to enter the cockpit and there was a lot of it!
There seems to be adequate air circulation between the brake assembly and the fiberglass pant so it is difficult to believe that the fiberglass would ignite. We are thinking that the overheated brake caliper may have leaked brake fluid on the disk and that the fire started in that manner We are replacing the Vans Cleveland brakes with the upgraded heavy duty assemblies from Cleveland .
I would greatly appreciate hearing from anyone who has experienced brake fires with their RV?s and what you have done to eliminate this hazard. Please give me your suggestions and comments.
There seems to be adequate air circulation between the brake assembly and the fiberglass pant so it is difficult to believe that the fiberglass would ignite. We are thinking that the overheated brake caliper may have leaked brake fluid on the disk and that the fire started in that manner We are replacing the Vans Cleveland brakes with the upgraded heavy duty assemblies from Cleveland .
I would greatly appreciate hearing from anyone who has experienced brake fires with their RV?s and what you have done to eliminate this hazard. Please give me your suggestions and comments.