Fire erupts in wheel bay of STAR Marianas Cherokee Six

By Andrew Curran.

An overheated brake sparked a fire in the left wheel bay of a STAR Marianas Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six that was preparing to depart Tinian (TIQ) on June 15, 2026 (local time).

Passengers and crew evacuated the 51-year-old aircraft, N4599X (msn 32-7640040), after the fire broke out. The aircraft was operating a scheduled service to Saipan (SPN).

A video of the incident, filmed by a passenger and showing the wheel bay ablaze, is circulating online.

“One of our single-engine Cherokee Six aircraft experienced a minor brake overheat during taxi while the aircraft was on the ground,” a STAR Marianas statement reads. “This overheat resulted in a localised fire on the fibreglass wheel fairing, which produced the visible smoke seen in the photos.”

“We want to reassure our passengers and the community that this was strictly a ground incident. All passengers and crew are entirely safe, and there were no injuries.”

N4599X is one of eight Cherokee Six aircraft and five Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftains operated by STAR Marianas Air throughout the Northern Mariana Islands. The privately held airline is controlled by the Christian family and provides both charter and scheduled flights.

The Commonwealth Ports Authority, which owns and operates Tinian Airport, said the airport’s fire-fighting service responded to the incident and extinguished the fire.

STAR Marianas said its maintenance team is now investigating why the brake overheated.

In 2019, the upper left engine cowling on the same aircraft separated in flight and struck the windscreen. However, the aircraft was able to land safely and no injuries were reported.

The Northern Mariana Islands are an unincorporated US territory, and aircraft incidents and accidents are investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Photo and video: Marianas Variety.

Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com