Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
20/11/2020	OCC2204	Shellharbour Aerodrome	NSW	Jabiru	J160C	Jabiru	2200	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Whilst taxiing to the runway the right main-wheel tyre defla...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Whilst taxiing to the runway the right main-wheel tyre deflated suddenly. The aircraft was steered in the direction of the deflated tyre until it was clear of the taxiway. On examination of the tyre, the hub-bolts were found to have sheared, but it was not possible to determine whether this was due to the tube failing first, of if the bolts had failed before the tube failed.
20/11/2020	OCC2218	Yering	VIC	Jabiru	J-160-D	Jabiru	2200B	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Cracking & de-lamination present at blade root transition alo...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Cracking & de-lamination present at blade root transition along leading edge following layup mark.
15/11/2020	OCC2197	Armidale Aerodrome	NSW	Jabiru	SP500	Jabiru	3300A	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot landed outside the area marked by gable markers int...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot landed outside the area marked by gable markers into resulting long grass, adjacent to runway 27, which caused the nose wheel to dislodge from housing and the prop striking the ground. The pilot has discussed the incident with the local CFI and will ensure all repairs are to standard, including propeller and crankshaft assessment of the engine prior to returning to flight.
14/11/2020	OCC2193	Griffith Aerodrome	NSW	Jabiru	J230D	Jabiru	3300A	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The aircraft was on descent when the engine stopped.
2/11/2020	OCC2185	Northam Airport	WA	Jabiru	J160C	Jabiru	2200	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The aircraft was found to have a cracked piston.
1/11/2020	OCC2187	Clifton Aerodrome	QLD	Jabiru	C160	Jabiru	2200	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The aircraft was on late final for runway 24 and the pilot un...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The aircraft was on late final for runway 24 and the pilot under instruction observed a flock of Galah's on the ground approximately 100 metres in front of the aircraft slightly to the left. As the aircraft continued the landing and began to flare, the flock of birds took flight and traversed from left to right directly in front of the aircraft at a height of approximately 10 feet. The aircraft flew through the flock of birds. Shortly thereafter a loud thump was heard from the rear of the aircraft. The Pilot under instruction landed the aircraft and during the taxi back, observed a single Galah in the middle of the runway approximately where the thump had been heard. The aircraft was parked and a visual inspection showed that there was no damage. The pilots then went to the location of the bird, still on the ground, to assess its condition. A short distance from the bird, it took flight in a normal manner apparently unaffected by the event. Birds are listed as a hazard at YCFN in ERSA. RAAus continues to monitor bird strike and wildlife reports at aerodromes to ensure correct ERSA/NOTAM information is in place and to enable reporting to the aerodrome proprietor.
15/10/2020	OCC2156	Emerald Aerodrome	QLD	Jabiru	J230-D	Jabiru	3300A	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Whilst reducing power and raising the nose slightly to mainta...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Whilst reducing power and raising the nose slightly to maintain altitude and slow down to be within flap extension speed on late downwind in the circuit, the engine rpm reduced to low idle and the engine stopped. Downwind pre landing checks had just been carried out on joining the circuit downwind. The fuel boost pump was operating and the magneto switches were both on. Engine temps and pressures were normal and approx. 50 litres of fuel were remaining balanced evenly in each tank. The main fuel tap was on where it had remained the entire flight. A successful restart was carried out followed by an uneventful landing at Emerald Airport. After taxiing back to the hangar the engine rpm dropped to 650 rpm at idle, was running rough and was about to stop again before it was shut down. On further inspection by an RAAus L2 maintainer, the coil gap on one of the distributor’s was found to be just touching, therefore affecting the spark.
13/10/2020	OCC2165	Lilydale Airport	VIC	Jabiru	J160D	Jabiru	2200B	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Both composite propeller blades were found to be cracked/de-l...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Both composite propeller blades were found to be cracked/de-laminated.
10/10/2020	OCC2158	Spalding	SA	Jabiru	230	Jabiru	3300	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During flight the pilot and passenger noticed a loud noise f...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During flight the pilot and passenger noticed a loud noise followed by a flapping noise during straight and level flight. The flapping become more violent and was coming from the left side wing. Immediately the pilot pulled power slowed the aircraft and found a place to land, which was a dirt road. The pilot briefed the passenger on what to expect from an emergency landing. After landing and confirming there was no immediate danger, the pilot and passenger exited the aircraft to find a screw missing from the leading edge position on the left wing root fairing. The first portion of the fairing had come loose hence the flapping heard from inside the plane. The pilot rang a friend in the next closest town to bring some duct tape to tape the fairing down until the aircraft could get back home. The aircraft took off successfully with no issues and flew back to Jamestown. On landing at Jamestown the pilot removed the tape and purchased a replacement screw and fixed the issue.
2/10/2020	OCC2141	Gawler Airfield	SA	Jabiru	J 170C	Jabiru	Gen 3	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The aircraft was on climb out after take-off when there was a...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The aircraft was on climb out after take-off when there was a severe vibration. The aircraft landed safely and on inspection it was found that the leading edge of a propellor blade was missing.
1/10/2020	OCC2157	Kapunda	SA	Jabiru	J230-D	Jabiru	3300	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: After having maintenance completed on the aircraft, the pilo...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: After having maintenance completed on the aircraft, the pilot conducted two touch and goes before departing to ensure everything was running smoothly. Everything was fine on the two touch and goes so the pilot departed the field and started tracking for YCVA. Roughly 42 NM into the flight 0.4hrs the pilot started to smell a burning smell from the aircraft. It was at this point they powered back slightly and the smell went away. Shortly after this they noticed the aircraft was losing oil pressure rather quickly and they noticed the burning smell again. The pilot immediately started looking around for places to land and realised they were about 8NM from a friends’ airfield and decided to land there. The pilot landed with no issues and taxied up to the front of the hangar. They exited the aircraft to find oil sprayed all over the left hand side of it, from the nose wheel the whole way along the belly and main wheels to the elevator. The cowling was removed to see where the oil was coming from. At first it was not clear as there was a lot of oil spread around. The pilot then rang the maintainer to tell them the plane was covered in oil, the burning smell and that the oil pressure dropped during the flight. The maintainer advised the pilot to return so they could look what was wrong. During the call the oil was found to be coming out of the rocker oil tube. The pilot told the maintainer that the rocker oil tube is visibly loose and oil was definitely coming out of it. The maintainer then replied that they forgot to do up the rocker oil tube. They then instructed the pilot how to do up the rocker oil tube, replace the oil. (they had 2x w100 piston engine oil bottles with them). After the pilot did this and cleaned the oil off the aircraft they completed a successful engine run up on the ground. They then flew directly back to Jamestown rather than stopping at Clare valley as originally planned. The flight back to Jamestown was uneventful and once landed, rechecked the oil and it was still at an appropriate level.
1/10/2020	OCC2142	Warwick Aerodrome	QLD	Jabiru	J 230 C	Jabiru	3300 A	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Complete engine failure with seizure whilst cruising at 3,500...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Complete engine failure with seizure whilst cruising at 3,500 feet AGL. Determined Outcome: Failure of No.4 piston/gudgeon pin.
13/9/2020	OCC2152	Camden Aerodrome	NSW	Jabiru	J120	Camit	2200	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Returning from Tamworth, enroute to Wedderburn, just outside ...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Returning from Tamworth, enroute to Wedderburn, just outside the Camden CTR at 4400ft. The engine coughed so the pilot (who was qualified to enter controlled airspace) requested clearance from Camden tower for immediate clearance to land. This was granted to RWY 06. The aircraft still had power so then proceeded to land and exited the runway on taxiway D under power. Just after the run up bays on or close to the apron the engine quit. The pilot was then assisted to the refuelling bay by pushing the aircraft. An inspection of the sight gauge indicated that there was no visible fuel. Investigation revealed the pilot was operating this aircraft based on published fuel usage figures and on a long navigation exercise for the first time. The fuel consumption during the flight was greater than expected. RAAus reminds members of the need to undergo type training when operating unfamiliar aircraft and the need for accurate fuel management and pro-active decision making when flight planning.
4/9/2020	OCC2115	Mildura Aerodrome	VIC	Jabiru	LSA 55/3J	Jabiru	2200	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: An aircraft returning to Mildura from a local flight to the w...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: An aircraft returning to Mildura from a local flight to the west of the the field joined crosswind for runway 36 (right hand circuits required). Once adjacent to the downwind leg, instead of making a right turn to join downwind for RWY 36, the pilot made a left turn. This resulted in the aircraft operating head on to a Cessna that had departed on runway 36 and was on downwind. Both pilots took evasive action. Pilots are reminded of the importance of maintaining standard procedures at non-controlled airfields including maintaining regular radio calls and an active lookout at all times. CAAP 166 provides guidance material to pilots and the En-Route Supplement Australia (ERSA) provides required circuit procedures at Australian airports.
29/8/2020	OCC2113	Heck Field Aerodrome	QLD	Jabiru	LSA 55	Jabiru	22J	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: On final approach the wind was gusting and moving strongly. T...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: On final approach the wind was gusting and moving strongly. The approach speed was kept faster than normal due to the conditions. The airspeed indicator was fluctuating rapidly between 60 and 70Kts. On round out just before the flare at approx. 6-8 feet off the ground the aircraft suddenly lost altitude and firmly impacted the runway, resulting in a broken nose wheel, propellor and minor lower cowl damage. The pilot noted several relevant factors, including operating an aircraft type he was not as familiar with which resulted in a lack of familiarity for the type and pressure to go flying from a friend. Flight Operations debriefed the pilot on the above points and pointed out the importance of type familiarisation in all scenarios, especially between different variants of the same make of aircraft.