Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
4/4/2024	OCC3643	Bendigo Aerodrome	VIC	Aeroprakt	A22LS Foxbat	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Student pilot on their first solo bounced whilst landing. Ful...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Student pilot on their first solo bounced whilst landing. Full power was applied and go around performed. Second landing also bounced. Again full power was applied for go around. Indications from the ground showed signs of nosewheel bending. The student pilot was instructed to land and stop engine as severity of damage unknown. Ground inspection of the aircraft showed damage to nosewheel leg, above the shock absorber.
31/3/2024	OCC3640	Esperance	WA	Jabiru	J120-C	Jabiru	2200B	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Before departing Caiguna, the pilot checked the TAF for Esper...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Before departing Caiguna, the pilot checked the TAF for Esperance and it was showing marginal VFR with a TEMPO (one hour of IMC) around Esperance. The pilot had planned to hold and wait for it to pass or thought the rain conditions would've passed by the time they arrived. When they were close to their Point of No Return ( PNR), the pilot attempted to check the radar on OZ Runways but had limited phone range so they couldn't get radar to show up. The Esperance TAF didn't indicate any significant changes so the pilot chose to continue. About 50 NM away from Esperance and long past their PNR, the SPECIs and TAFs started to rapidly change. The pilot contacted Melbourne Centre and requested they keep the pilot up to date with SPECI. The pilot saw a gap where the visibility and the cloud base looked better so they diverted based on past experience in the area. This was determined to be a bad choice as it placed them right in front of the rain band as it was tracking to the north. The pilot tried diverting to Grass Patch West but was cut off by low cloud. The pilot tried to track for Esperance twice but faced IMC so turned back. It was at that point the pilot was approaching personal minimum for fuel. The pilot started preparing for a precautionary landing on a farm laneway as the best option, declared a Pan-Pan and conducted an uneventful forced landing. ATC contact was maintained via relay with an overhead Qantas flight. After some time on the ground and with no contact with the owners of the farm, conditions improved and the pilot decided to continue their flight. Debriefing with the pilot revealed they later realised plan confirmation bias or expectation bias (that similar conditions had been experienced before in the area and the expectation was conditions would improve), led to "get-there-itis" or the tendency to continue on, even though conditions were deteriorating. The pilot acknowledged they should have made an earlier decision to conduct a PFL but were also to be congratulated for making use of all available resources including contact with ATC.
31/3/2024	OCC3632	Mangalore	VIC	Arion	Lightning	Jabiru	3300	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: On flight back from Holbrook to Kyneton, the pilot noticed th...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: On flight back from Holbrook to Kyneton, the pilot noticed that the engine started to run a bit rough with some vibration being felt through the airframe. The plane was still maintaining power, however the pilot took a precautionary turn back to Shepparton about 10NM to their north east. The pilot made a normal landing into Shepparton without incident. On the ground, inspection of the aircraft engine bay and airframe showed no obvious indications of a problem. A run up as well as high power test run was conducted on the ground and it did not reproduce any issues. The pilot called and relayed this to their L2 maintainer and described the inflight issue to them and on reflection concluded that it was possibly due to fuel vaporisation. Noting to L2 maintainer that pilot had topped up at Holbrook with 95 mogas from the local aero club, the action was to fill up the tank with lower fuel with avgas and continue with the flight once ground run up and high power test indicated no issue. Take off and climb over head the airfield was normal with no indications of any engine issue so the pilot continued on track for Kyneton. However, 10 minutes into the flight the aircraft exhibited the same vibration and the pilot could see it was losing RPM. The pilot decided to turn for Mangalore and again landed without incident.
29/3/2024	OCC3628	Mittagong Aerodrome	NSW	Atec	Zephyr	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Trailing Rear mounting bracket on the horizontal stab...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Trailing Rear mounting bracket on the horizontal stabilizer has cracked on the right angle bend & towards the bolt hole of the bracket.
29/3/2024	OCC3629	Swan Hill aerodrome	VIC	Tecnam	P2008	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: When coming in on final with full flap at 60 knots, the aircr...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: When coming in on final with full flap at 60 knots, the aircraft hit severe sink just short of fence and the pilot responded with full throttle but could not regain height.
27/3/2024	OCC3627	Port Macquarie Aerodrome	NSW	Jabiru	SP470	Jabiru	2200	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: While performing circuits on an established circuit direction...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: While performing circuits on an established circuit direction of 21 with two other RAAus aircraft, a Jabiru (reporting pilots aircraft) had heard a static filled radio call, barely discernible and thought had heard Taree in the call. Taree (YTRE) is 33 NM South West and shares the same CTAF frequency as YPMQ and it is common to hear aircraft with static. The Jabiru had begun a turn from base to final and observed previous RAAus Aircraft performing touch and goes and turning crosswind and then observed another aircraft (later determined to be a VH registered aircraft) taking off on the reciprocal runway 03. The Jabiru pilot made a radio call "aircraft departing on 03 Jabiru XXXX in conflict", while making this call, the Jabiru pilot observed the taking off aircraft now leaving the center-line and appeared to be turning west. The Jabiru pilot asked if the aircraft is turning, and the taking off aircraft replied "turning west now". The taking off aircraft was continuing to climb and veering West then Northerly. This stopped Jabiru from performing either a continued track on base or a Go-Around for runway 21. The Jabiru pilot determined that the taking off aircraft was now West of the runway but heading now northerly, continuing to climb, so with a Go-Around no longer viable, the Jabiru pilot continued on final without further incident. This occurrence has been referred to CASA for their review/investigation.
26/3/2024	OCC3625	Murray Bridge Aerodrome	SA	JMB	VL3TE-915	Rotax	915 iS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The aircraft experienced gear collapse whilst taxiing.
24/3/2024	OCC3622	Moruya Aerodrome	NSW	TL Ultralight	TL 3000 Sirius	Rotax	912 U L S	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The aircraft landed on main runway 18 rolled through and taxi...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The aircraft landed on main runway 18 rolled through and taxied via runway 26 to taxiway and exited the runway. While taxiing to designated grass parking area near the Aero Club the nose wheel collapsed and propellor struck the ground.
23/3/2024	OCC3666	Port Macquarie Aerodrome	NSW	The Airplane Factory	Sling 2	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: On the day of the incident, the instructor had been doing a T...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: On the day of the incident, the instructor had been doing a TIF in the Training Area. The instructor had given all of the radio calls on their side. Everything appeared normal. Traffic was quiet at the time. After giving an inbound call, the instructor heard another school aircraft operating in the circuit. They also heard a RPT aircraft giving an inbound call at 30 miles to the south. The instructor was 5 miles out and thought they had plenty of time to join overhead, slot in with the other school aircraft and land before the RPT. They continued giving all of the normal radio calls but hadn't heard any response. As they positioned to join midfield crosswind they heard the other training aircraft trying to call them. They responded but got no reply. The instructor then realised that they had a radio problem. They could see and hear the other training aircraft and decided to land as soon as possible while clear and well before the RPT aircraft. Meanwhile, the instructor in the other training aircraft realised there was a radio issue so conveyed the message to the RPT and also let the RPT know when training aircraft was clear of the runway. It was discovered that the radio transmit switch had failed on the instructor's side.
22/3/2024	OCC3649	Benalla Aerodrome	VIC	Tecnam	P92 Echo Super	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During a Trial Instructional Flight, the aircraft entered the...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During a Trial Instructional Flight, the aircraft entered the grass next to the runway. The instructor took over the controls and steered the aircraft back to the bitumen. The aircraft was back-tracked and shut down at runway holding point where the instructor conducted an inspection of the aircraft prior to continuing with the trial flight.
19/3/2024	OCC3618	Tara	QLD	I C P	Savannah	Rotax	912 UL	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The aircraft experienced an immediate bad vibration following...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The aircraft experienced an immediate bad vibration following a bird strike. The pilot immediately identified a suitable landing position and landed. Post landing an inspection of the propellor revealed significant damage to one of the four blades.
19/3/2024	OCC3619	The Head	QLD	Fisher	Mk1	Rotax	582	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Enroute to destination at an altitude of 7500’ the engine red...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Enroute to destination at an altitude of 7500’ the engine reduced in rpm with the current throttle setting. Throttle was further advanced and power was restored. A shallow descent was commenced towards some open farmland ahead and entered a holding pattern above the area whilst appropriate trouble checks were carried out on the engine. No improvement was noted. The engine was still operating without any obvious signs of failure other than the reducing level of power. Consideration was given to a diversion to nearby airfields of YCHB, YWCK and YSPE. However, with the engine condition unknown and suitable landing areas below. It was decided to land in a freshly mowed farm paddock to avoid any unnecessary risk by diverting. Descent was continued above the planned landing area whilst assessing the size, slope, obstacles and nearby farmhouse. A precautionary Mayday was declared to Brisbane centre ATC on area frequency 121.2 as the surrounding high terrain would have likely impacted VHF coverage and predicted that coverage on the ground would be limited. A successful landing was made in the paddock with no injuries or damage. Unable to make radio contact after landing with ATC. The pilot attempted to contact any aircraft in the area to relay a message on the current frequency and also tried other frequencies 126.8 and 119.5. The pilot proceeded to walk to farmhouse with handheld radio continuing to try and make radio contact. Mobile phone coverage was also not available. Upon reaching the house they used the landline phone 14 minutes later to contact ATC Flightwatch and advise that they landed safely. Initial inspection of the engine indicates that the magneto / stator assembly had physical failure and the resulting drag or binding of the failed components within the casing caused the power loss. Further inspection to be completed.
18/3/2024	OCC3621	25 miles North East of Marree	SA	Pipistrel	Virus SW 100	Rotax GMBH	912 IS2	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: While cruising at 5000 ft from Lake Eyre to Arkaroola the cre...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: While cruising at 5000 ft from Lake Eyre to Arkaroola the crew experienced a burning smell followed by very dark and pungent smoke filling the cabin. Expecting to have to put down in the desert the pilot looked for a suitable area, called a mayday and descended to 2500 ft. At this point the smoke seemed to dissipate and the pilot reassessed their landing options. As there was a landing strip 10 miles away, (5 minutes), at Decoy Hill, Mundowdha Station, and the aircraft was operating normally they opted to make for there. On reaching Mundowdna they could see that Marree was only minutes away which looked like a far better option so made it to there where emergency services met them.
17/3/2024	OCC3611	Muchea/Greenside Aerodrome	WA	Taylorcraft Aviation	DCO-65	Continental	A65	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The flight was with an instructor as a safety pilot. After ap...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The flight was with an instructor as a safety pilot. After applying full power, the engine sounded normal and there were no vibrations or other indications of an anomaly. However, after lift-off it became apparent that the aircraft did not have full power available. The instructor checked that the throttle was in the full forward position. RPMs were indicating 150 - 200 too low. The instructor took over controls, by this time they no longer had enough runway ahead of them, so the instructor veered the aircraft to the right into a paddock adjacent to the runway. The landing was hard and on undulating ground resulting in prop damage.
16/3/2024	OCC3630	Sunshine Coast	QLD	Fly Synthesis	Texan 600	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Aircraft inadvertently entered the 1500ft step while on a Tri...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Aircraft inadvertently entered the 1500ft step while on a Trial Instructional Flight. Passenger was very anxious and due to the windy conditions, the pilot then climbed to 2500ft to get out of lower level turbulence without acknowledging that the controlled airspace was above them.