Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
26/8/2023	OCC3400	Sunshine Coast Aerodrome	QLD	The Airplane Factory	Sling 2	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Two slings were flying in company ferrying the aircraft to Ca...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Two slings were flying in company ferrying the aircraft to Caboolture for maintenance. At approx. 10am local time the first Sling obtained a taxi and airways clearance direct and in the readback confirmed their clearance to taxi to the holding bay A2 behind company aircraft. Unfortunately, the pilot of the second Sling erroneously understood the company aircraft to be a reference to themself and proceeded to taxi as number 2 to the first Sling to the holding point. Being behind the first Sling, the pilot was unaware the second Sling was taxiing and consequently unable to highlight the error prior to it departing the apron onto the taxiway. ATC contacted the second Sling and advised a clearance wasn't supplied for taxi and subsequently provided a taxiway and airways clearance. The pilot of the second Sling apologised for the error and advised their assumption, given they'd heard the clearance included company aircraft, that they were indeed the company aircraft unaware a third Sling remained in the A2 holding bay.
25/8/2023	OCC3394	Bathurst Aerodrome	NSW	BRM Aero	Bristell S-LSA	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Whilst conducting dual circuit training in a Bristell on Run...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Whilst conducting dual circuit training in a Bristell on Runway 17 in the Bathurst circuit area. A VH registered aircraft arrived and joined the circuit behind them. The student called base runway 17 for a touch and go. The VH aircraft then turned base behind them as they were turning final. The instructor made a radio call directly to the VH aircraft telling them the Bristell was at their 1 o'clock slightly low because they were close, but separation was still being maintained at this time. They acknowledged the radio call and said they would give way to the Bristell. The Bristell continued, conducted a touch and go and the instructor made a rolling call on the radio. Immediately after they made the rolling call the VH aircraft made a going around call. The Bristell conducted a slight left hand turn to spot the traffic. They saw how close they were and the instructor took over and initiated an immediate left hand turn with a radio call at approximately 150ft AGL. The VH aircraft continued with their missed approach maintaining runway heading with no adjustments to track to avoid the Bristell. Considering the runway length, the Bristell made their low level turn overhead the hangars and apron at Bathurst and they were closer to the Bristell than the intersection for RW26/08. The instructor believes this was less than 1km. As this occurrence involves a VH-registered aircraft, this has been forwarded to CASA for review.
25/8/2023	OCC3393	Caboolture	QLD	Aeropro	Eurofox 3K	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During scheduled maintenance it was noted that the oil hose f...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During scheduled maintenance it was noted that the oil hose from the oil pump to the oil tank had shifted and the fire sleeve displayed heat damage. During replacement of the fire sleeve, heat damage of the oil hose was evident. The hose was stiff and upon flexing the hose cracked. Another hose was found stiff and brittle underneath the fire sleeve and it was also replaced. This aircraft was recently acquired and the aircraft records show the current engine was installed by another maintainer in 2021, however one of the hoses shows a date stamp of 2008.
23/8/2023	OCC3392	Heck Field Aerodrome	QLD	The Airplane Factory	Sling 2	Rotax	912ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The PIC was conducting circuits @ YHEC RWY 36 and came in too...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The PIC was conducting circuits @ YHEC RWY 36 and came in too low and slow. slight wind shear, and the left wing clipped the tree which sent the aircraft veering off to the left just before it was about to touch down. The pilot pushed the right rudder to try and straighten the aircraft but once it touched down it just kept heading left into the reeds and water on the left side of the runway.
22/8/2023	OCC3390	Caloundra	QLD	Tecnam	P92 Eaglet	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The flight was a dual flight, conducting an Instructor renewa...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The flight was a dual flight, conducting an Instructor renewal. During a simulated practice forced landing, the pilot trimmed the aeroplane to full back trim, to set trim for the glide. At the completion of the forced landing exercise, a go-around was conducted, and the pilot attempted to trim the aircraft nose down, to relieve control loads. At this time, it became apparent that the trim was not responding to commands and stuck in the full nose-up trim position. This failure resulted in substantial control loads on the pilot to fly the aircraft at even slow speed straight and level. The resulting control loads were sufficient to require input/relief from the Examiner to assist the pilot flying in managing the control loads. The Examiner believes it would be hazardous if this occurrence had occurred with one pilot on board, particularly someone of low experience or a student solo. They were able to safely control the aircraft and return to land at Caloundra without incident or damage to the aircraft. The L4 maintainer has inspected and uninstalled the trim actuator, finding it to contain significant water trapped in the casing, immersing electrical components. The maintainer discovered that the actuator was mechanically stuck locked in the full back position. The trim gear was stripped, likely from attempts to trim after the trim became stuck. The L4 suspects that the electric trim travel limit switch at the nose-up trim end had failed, resulting in the actuator proceeding past the limit during a trim nose-up input from the pilot, and the screw becoming jammed against the hard plastic stop at full nose-up trim position. The maintainer also believes the failure of the electric trim travel limit switch may have been caused by the water present in the unit. This defect was rectified with a replacement trim actuator unit. It is their belief that this failed limit switch condition may have existed as a latent threat for a time before the incident, but hadn't resulted in stuck trim until a situation in which a pilot trimmed to full trim travel. The engineer suggested to check these units internally during regular maintenance for trapped water content. Check functionality of trim to limits during pre-flight inspection. This has been forwarded back to the manufacturer as a suggestion for inclusion into the maintenance manual.
22/8/2023	OCC3397	Shellharbour Aerodrome	NSW	Evektor	Harmony	Rotax	912 iS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: While climbing out after take-off, passing 500 feet, a sharp ...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: While climbing out after take-off, passing 500 feet, a sharp burning smell was noticed. The pilot looked around the cockpit and noticed a small amount of smoke come in through the vent on the passenger side. The pilot opened the exterior vent to allow fresh air to enter the cockpit. There was no further smoke, and the smell dissipated. The pilot returned to the airfield and the landing was uneventful. OUTCOME: The incident was caused by one side of the scat hose becoming detached during flight and subsequently resting up against the exhaust. This has caused the scat tube to begin to smoulder. The detachment was caused by either the hose being improperly secured or through general wear and tear, resulting in the hose breaking loose from the attachment point. No non-compliances were found in relation to the pilot, aircraft or maintenance personal in relation to this incident.
20/8/2023	OCC3402	Temora Aerodrome	NSW	Tecnam	P2002 Sierra	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: After landing from a local flight, a rhythmic clunking noise ...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: After landing from a local flight, a rhythmic clunking noise was heard whilst taxiing the aircraft which corresponded to the taxi speed. On return to the hangar, it was identified that a brake disc retaining bolt had worked loose on the right side and was impacting the internal brake caliper section. A replacement bolt was installed and the aircraft put away. The next time the aircraft was taxied out, it was noticed that the aircraft was pulling left. After returning to the hangar it was identified the brake piston was affected by the replacement bolt and the right brake was locked on. OUTCOME: Aircraft brake repaired to standard using the correct bolt with no further issues identified. Member will also continue to monitor this area of the undercarriage more regularly to help eliminate future problems.
20/8/2023	OCC3396	Coffs Harbour Aerodrome	NSW	Aeroprakt	A32 Vixxen	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: A Vixxen and a Sting were in circuits on 21 making necessary ...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: A Vixxen and a Sting were in circuits on 21 making necessary CTAF calls. Another aircraft (VH registered) was taxiing for 21. The VH aircraft acknowledged that they had heard both aircraft and stated their intention to use 21 to head north. As Vixxen was on final, approaching the threshold, the VH aircraft entered the runway and began making a radio call. The VH aircraft lined up on the threshold. The Vixxen was unable to communicate location and needed to conduct a go-around. VH aircraft made another call. Sting made downwind call. Vixxen made upwind call. VH aircraft proceeded to take off while Vixxen was still on upwind and communicated that he was heading north and returning. Shortly after, Vixxen made joining crosswind 21 call. VH aircraft stated that it was downwind 21. Vixxen could not locate aircraft. VH aircraft stated that it was downwind, over the Harbour on final. Sting asked for clarification of VH aircraft 's location. Vixxen located VH aircraft on straight in short final 21. VH aircraft landed, vacated the runway and taxied back to the hangar. This occurrence has been referred to CASA for investigation.
20/8/2023	OCC3388	Sydney	NSW	EDRA Aeronautica	Super Petrel	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The aircraft departed YWBN with the intention of tracking eas...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The aircraft departed YWBN with the intention of tracking east to the coast & then flying north via Victor one to south head and then entering R405A, to track via the Harbour Bridge to Ryde Bridge and then turning Southwest to track via Parramatta to YWBN. A descent to 500'AGL was made just north of Seacliff Bridge whilst tracking north to Jibbon Point. Although everything was progressing normally, the pilot decided to track closer than normal to the coast and for some reason they checked the water conditions at Watamolla and Marley Beach. Approaching Jibbon Point, the pilot made a call on 120.8 advising Victor One traffic of their position and altitude. At Cronulla beach, the pilot started to feel a vibration that wasn't normal and the passenger, who was also a regular flyer, also made comment. They started to consider their options which included landing on Cronulla Beach or on the water at either Weeney or Botany Bay but at the same time the passenger asked if they should return. The pilot commenced a right hand turn as they believed the better option was staying in the Botany Bay area, then Sydney Tower and declared an emergency, squawked 7700 and advised them that they had engine vibrations and requested to Land at YSSY. The pilot suggested that a water landing on Botany Bay was possible but that a runway was the preferred option. The aircraft was cleared directly from its position in Victor One for a landing on 34L. At approx. 50' over the threshold of 34L the engine stopped but made an otherwise safe landing on the runway. Once stopped on the runway just north of B5 taxiway they were met by the RFS units. Shortly after an Airport vehicle recovered a blade that had detached at approximately the same time as the engine failed.
17/8/2023	OCC3386	Archerfield Aerodrome	QLD	The Airplane Factory	Sling 2	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The aircraft experienced an electrical failure in flight. The...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The aircraft experienced an electrical failure in flight. The pilot troubleshot in air, but returned to YBAF in CTAF without radio, transponder, flaps, or trim. It was identified that due to normal wear and tear of aircraft operations that a loose wire was found and addressed. Nil defects evident since.
16/8/2023	OCC3387	Gawler Aerodrome	SA	Jabiru	J170-C	Jabiru	2200B	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot of a Jabiru was flying circuits using runway 05 fol...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot of a Jabiru was flying circuits using runway 05 following an aircraft in front of them. On this particular circuit, the Jabiru was positioned downwind, abeam the 05 threshold in a landing configuration. The pilot in front then announced on final that they would complete a full stop landing. Whilst extending the circuit to provide more room for the landing aircraft in front the Jabiru pilot inadvertently entered Edinburgh Military airspace, before turning base and final. The Pilot has debriefed the occurrence with an instructor and completed additional ground training to ensure the circumstance does not happen again.
15/8/2023	OCC3383	Glenburn	VIC	Sonex	Sonex	Jabiru	2200J	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The aircraft departed YLIL at 0512z tracking north to the app...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The aircraft departed YLIL at 0512z tracking north to the approach point GBR (Glenburn) on climb to cruise altitude of A045. The pilot made two calls of their intentions and level on climb to, first on departure then again on late downwind as they were departing the circuit. They reached A045 at approximately 0520z and changed frequency to 135.7 (MEL CEN) at 10NM YLIL. At approximately 0523z and witnessed a C152 in a right banking turn less than 0.5NM and 100ft from their track. Thankfully the C152 saw them first. but I do question them being at A045 when they were on a heading of (best guess) 160. The pilot did not hear an inbound call to YLIL from the C152 but had changed to the CEN freq. They did not hear a safety alert or traffic from CEN but it was on a FIA boundary so that complicates things. The aircraft has a TT21 with 1090 ADSB out fitted and had Ozrunways traffic going as well but the pilot did not see the other aircraft via those means either. Outcome: As the C152 has remained unidentifiable, no further investigation can be undertaken.
10/8/2023	OCC3377	Griffith Aerodrome	NSW	Tecnam	P2002 Sierra DL	Rotax	912 ULS2	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: A Cessna aircraft decided to enter 06 at holding point Charli...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: A Cessna aircraft decided to enter 06 at holding point Charlie and conduct an intersection departure with a strong tailwind while a Tecnam aircraft was late downwind for 24 and in the process of turning base. Despite appropriate radio calls being made, the Cessna aircraft continued with the take-off and turned right off the end of runway 06, which is not the standard left hand circuit pattern. RAAus has reached out to the Chief Pilot of the company who operates the Cessna aircraft to discuss the safety concerns regarding the reports being received. The chief pilot agreed to discuss these matters with his line pilots to try prevent these occurrences from happening again in the future.
30/7/2023	OCC3368	Private Airstrip, Brentwood	SA	Jabiru	SP500	Jabiru	2200A	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The Jabiru aircraft was taking off from a private LA in which...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The Jabiru aircraft was taking off from a private LA in which horses owned by the pilot and passenger were unfenced from the airstrip. The operators had conducted significant flights from the same location with the horses unrestrained on all previous occasions and they were not perceived as a threat. During take off roll, a single horse, who's position was separated from the herd, galloped towards the aircraft at speed, impacting the left wing and pilots door area resulting in the aircraft becoming inverted with significant damage and injuries to the pilot. The horse also sustained significant injuries and was later euthanised by the owners. This accident is a another example of normalisation of deviance, where clearly known threats were dismissed by the pilot based on previous animal behavior at the location. The pilot will amend all future operations to mitigate this risk by restricting access by livestock to the airstrip when operating.
26/7/2023	OCC3363	Mulyungarie station	SA	Tecnam	P92 Echo Super	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: RAAus were advised by ATSB that SAPol and ambulances were on ...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: RAAus were advised by ATSB that SAPol and ambulances were on scene at an accident. The pilot was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries.