Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
31/12/2015	OCC0534	Bundaberg Airport	QLD	Jabiru	SP2200	Jabiru	2200	When approaching the airport, to overfly at 1600 feet to join the circuit, the engine began to run r...
When approaching the airport, to overfly at 1600 feet to join the circuit, the engine began to run roughly. After approximately 10 seconds there was a loud bang and the engine ran smoothly but with limited power. A successful landing was conducted with no damage to airframe or injuries to crew. OUTCOME: A later examination of the engine showed that the No.4 piston had disintegrated causing extensive damage to the cylinder and block.
26/12/2015	OCC0533	King Ash Bay	NT	Jabiru	J160	Jabiru	2200A	Landing on dirt strip 6 to 7 knot crosswind and a gust of wind blew the aircraft to the right side o...
Landing on dirt strip 6 to 7 knot crosswind and a gust of wind blew the aircraft to the right side of the strip. As the aircraft touched down the right main wheel sunk on soft dirt which damaged the undercarriage. Pilot tried to steer plane to the left and as the plane came to rest it dipped forward and the right wing tip hit the ground. OUTCOME: Damage to the undercarriage and the right wing tip of aircraft due to crosswind and hitting soft ground.
19/12/2015	OCC0527	Coffs Harbour	NSW	Jabiru	J170-C	Jabiru	J2200	Loss of comms by pilot on approach to Coffs Harbour aerodrome. Comms required for contact with Class...
Loss of comms by pilot on approach to Coffs Harbour aerodrome. Comms required for contact with Class D controller. Problem could not be replicated on the ground by the CFI and Instructor. Possibly due to incorrect volume setting or wrong frequency setting. OUTCOME: Operations reviewed report no further action required.
26/11/2015	OCC0522	Bundaberg Airport	QLD	Jabiru	J200	Jabiru	3300A	Reported that damage had occurred to a hanger had appeared overnight and a damaged aircraft parked a...
Reported that damage had occurred to a hanger had appeared overnight and a damaged aircraft parked a short distance away. OUTCOME: Investigation found RAAus pilot had run into hangar overnight due to unsafe operation of the aircraft. Damage to hangar has been compensated through third party property damage insurance. Due to the lack of communication with the pilot their pilot certificate has been suspended until further contact has been made.
17/11/2015	OCC0488	Murray Field	WA	Jabiru	J120-C LSA	Jabiru	2200	On approach to RWY09 and during overfly the pilot was unable to see the wind sock. Pilot approach an...
On approach to RWY09 and during overfly the pilot was unable to see the wind sock. Pilot approach and landed at RWY09, felt tail wheel on runway and applied brakes as it was too late for full throttle to go-around and overshot runway. Pilot felt the brakes fail. Burns offs in a number of locations in WA caused smoke to be low lying. Pilot exited aeroplane after shutdown and removed aircraft from air strip. OUTCOME: Ops spoke to pilot on initial report. Pilot failed to judge landing correctly and elected to over run rather than go-around and possibly hit power lines. NFA required by Ops.
11/11/2015	OCC0482	Scone	NSW	Jabiru	J160	Jabiru	22A 4cyl	At 3500' AMSL the engine started to vibrate and lost substantial power. Pilot applied carburettor he...
At 3500' AMSL the engine started to vibrate and lost substantial power. Pilot applied carburettor heat, fuel boost pump and full throttle but continued to lose height at the rate of about 500fpm. At about 800' AGL pilot activated the PLB and landed in a suitable paddock. AMSAR contacted pilot by phone where the circumstances were explained and pilot advised that no assistance was required. OUTCOME: ATSB in consultation with CASA, RAAus and Jabiru conducted an engine tear down of this engine to identify the causal factors for the engines failure. Information pertaining to the ATSB report is available at https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2015/aair/ae-2015-137/
8/11/2015	OCC0475	Bordertown	SA	Jabiru	J230	Jabiru	3300	At 6500' engine misfired then began to run rough. All temps and pressures good. Plenty of fuel. Pilo...
At 6500' engine misfired then began to run rough. All temps and pressures good. Plenty of fuel. Pilot lowered power settings however engine clatter experienced and engine came to an abrupt stop. 'Mayday' call conducted on area frequency which was acknowledged with request to activate ident and EPIRB. MEL CTR acknowledged position and asked intentions. Pilot maintained look out, left radio on and radioed through that that they had located a good paddock not far from bitumen road and homestead and would land there after performing final checks as per manual. Relatively uneventful landing in paddock with cut hay. Nil injuries. Pilot called Area Freq saying all ok. Within about 5 minutes a plane circled and pilot indicated all ok. Emergency services arrived on scene however found it difficult to locate aircraft due to poor mobile reception. OUTCOME: As this aircraft/ engine is an LSA the responsibility is with the manufacturer and owner. CASA are working to address the number of engine failures reported with this type of engine and have implemented an instrument to reduce the risk identified. The Instrument will be reviewed in July 2016.
7/11/2015	OCC0484	Gawler Airfield	SA	Jabiru	J170D	Jabiru	22B	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Aircraft flying in the circuit had just taken off aga...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Aircraft flying in the circuit had just taken off again when the rudder became ineffective. Pilot was unable to turn right however was able to conducted a landing on a suitable runway available to aircraft turning left only. Aircraft landed safely. OUTCOME: Aircraft has been fitted with a new rudder control cable and the aircraft is flying again. See Jabiru Service Letter: Rudder Cable End JSL019 for information from the manufacturer on further information about inspection of this defect. http://jabiru.net.au/images/JSL019-2_Rudder_cable_end_inspect.pdf
29/10/2015	OCC0483	Wollongong	NSW	Jabiru	J170	Jabiru	2200	Jabiru was holding ready to cross RWY08 and RWY26 and did not hear the base call for the VH aircraft...
Jabiru was holding ready to cross RWY08 and RWY26 and did not hear the base call for the VH aircraft on RWY08 however heard the on-final call for a full stop. The active runway at the time was RWY34 however there was a 5-10 kt wind from the East. The VH aircraft touched down and Jabiru pilot gave a call that he was taxing for RWY34 and cross RWY08 and RWY26. The VH aircraft called to state they were still on the runway which Jabiru had a clear view of and could see they were starting their turn off the runway. Jabiru pilot started to move when a call was heard from VH aircraft and pilot immediately stopped to assess the situation. The VH aircraft departed at the cross strip and radioed the runway was available and Jabiru Pilot acknowledged. OUTCOME: Ops spoke with JABpilot who agreed confusion may have existed between his intentions and his actions. Pilot didn't believe the risk of collision was high, however wasn't aware the Seneca had applied emergency braking to stop. JABPilot has spoken to local CFI and learnt several lessons including ensuring a situational picture of aircraft is built even while taxiing and running up, and ensuring clear comms are made.
14/10/2015	OCC0465	Blackwater	QLD	Jabiru	J230	Camit	33SLR	Failure of fuel to feed from right hand wing to surge tank due to blockage in the vent. OUTCOME: T...
Failure of fuel to feed from right hand wing to surge tank due to blockage in the vent. OUTCOME: The pilot/ maintainer inspected the engine and the breather/vent was cleaned out. The pilot/ maintainer waited for fuel to cross feed as the breather/vent was not operating correctly due to contamination. RAAus Technical review. This is a 19 amateur built - previous reports have identified that the fuel vent is susceptible to small particles and grit becoming lodged and then preventing the vent from working (for example, in coastal conditions, salt crystals have formed which has then prevented the vent from operating correctly). The inspection identified that there was no cross feeding and in removing and cleaning the fuel vent the pilot was able to continue on without any other further issues.
2/10/2015	OCC0517	Drysdale River Station	WA	Jabiru	SP 500T	Camit	CAE3300	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Pilot attempted to start the engine and the starter e...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Pilot attempted to start the engine and the starter engaged and remained engaged after pilot released the starter button. The stater tuned the engine until the battery was flat. Pilot removed and dismantled the starter solenoid. The solenoid return spring appear to be in perfect condition. after inspections it appeared that the copper contacts welded themselves together causing the starter to remain engaged. OUTCOME: The solenoid and battery were replaced and the starter system now works properly.
1/10/2015	OCC0448	Port Lincoln	SA	Jabiru	J200	Jabiru	3300	Fuel mismanagement. Pilot shut off wrong fuel tap. OUTCOME: Pilot confirmed fuel starvation was the...
Fuel mismanagement. Pilot shut off wrong fuel tap. OUTCOME: Pilot confirmed fuel starvation was the result of incorrect fuel system management. The pilot/owner advised the aircraft has a modified fuel tank system incorporating 3 separate fuel cells. 2 x 50L wing tanks and a centre fuselage 50L tank. All are separately tapped to allow PIC to regulate flow from wing tanks to original; primary tank. Pilot confirmed that having all tanks selected ON can overflow main tank and if wing tanks are empty and in ON position may introduce air into fuel system.
22/9/2015	OCC0521	Amberley	QLD	Jabiru	J230D	Jabiru	3300A	Airspace Infringement - Pilot did not check NOTAMs or broadcast on the CTAF. OUTCOME: Pilot complet...
Airspace Infringement - Pilot did not check NOTAMs or broadcast on the CTAF. OUTCOME: Pilot completed a ground based review of RAAus CTA avoidance and planning, transponder use and NOTAM revision.