Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
4/2/2017	OCC0910	Jacobs Well	QLD	Bearhawk	Patrol	Lycoming	O-320	Whilst landing on an airstrip surrounded by cane fields, a vehicle emerged at the start of the runwa...
Whilst landing on an airstrip surrounded by cane fields, a vehicle emerged at the start of the runway. The pilot was able to manoeuvre the aircraft to avoid a collision. OUTCOME: The airfield has two clubs operating, and one club can access the airfield and hangars via a boom gate, the other club is prevented from this and must access the airfield and hangars via an access road, which cuts across the overrun area of the runway. This has highlighted more of a hazard at this location in which some pilots are required to access the airfield and hangars via aerodrome access road, placing them in potential conflict with aircraft on final. The aircraft can see the car, but due to the surrounding crop of cane, the car cannot see the aircraft. RAAus Operations Manager reviewed the report and spoke with the member operating the vehicle who was prevented from seeing any aircraft on approach due to the cane crop in the vicinity. This information is also highlighted on the Clubs website page as an advisory for those driving into the airfield: http://www.gcsfc.org.au/driving-to-jcw.html RAAus recommends that in a situation such as this the pilot should conduct a go-around as he would have had visibility of the car from the air.
2/2/2017	OCC0924	Private Property	QLD	Thruster Aircraft	Thruster T300	Rotax	582 DCDI	A new propellor was fitted to the aircraft using parts and specifications provided by the manufactur...
A new propellor was fitted to the aircraft using parts and specifications provided by the manufacturer, however there was one washer per bolt around the outer hub bolts which secure the pitch blocks and blade route when there were three washers used on original hub. The hub bolts were tensioned to manufacturer specifications. After 50mins of flight the aircraft developed a vibration. Upon inspection after landing it was found that the hub had a crack at one of the outer hub bolts. OUTCOME: The pilot/ owner identified that the manufacturer did not supply relevant assembly instructions in relation to the aircraft when the parts were supplied. Additionally there was an incorrect number of washers supplied for the installation. The pilot/ owner referenced two sources of assembly instructions, however there was some difference in the information. The RAAus Technical Manager has addressed this with the manufacturer who has now supplied the correct current assembly instructions, including the correct number of washers to be used with the replacement parts.
1/2/2017	OCC0906	Colosseum Inlet	QLD	Super Petrel	100	Rotax	912 U L S	During flight, the PAX side perspex window blew out. This damaged the propeller, however did not cau...
During flight, the PAX side perspex window blew out. This damaged the propeller, however did not cause the carbon fibre propeller to disintegrate and did not cause severe vibration. The aircraft returned to the airfield and landed with no issue. OUTCOME: Technical Manager reviewed this report which is for an amateur built aircraft. After inspection of the aircraft it was determined that there was deterioration of the glue holding in the Perspex window which led to the window blowing out. Owner/ operator is addressing the issue by using: - epoxy glue to glue in the window (the same way as the manufacturer does). - the new system used on the LSA Super Petrels (Sicaflex 221 with a layer of fibre glass cloth around the edge).
1/2/2017	OCC0905	Whitegum	WA	Micro aviation	Bathawk	Camit	3300SLRE	During flight training the student rounded out too high and the instructor took over too late to pre...
During flight training the student rounded out too high and the instructor took over too late to prevent the aircraft landing firmly. OUTCOME: During landing, the student rounded out too high and the Instructor did not react quickly enough to prevent a hard landing.
31/1/2017	OCC0911	Caboolture	QLD	Aeroprakt	A32 Vixxen	Rotax	912 ULS	On short finals the pilot noticed the front of the door flex open some 2cm during heavy turbulence a...
On short finals the pilot noticed the front of the door flex open some 2cm during heavy turbulence at 50-55kts. The pilot has no doubt that had they been traveling faster that the door would have opened, that speed was the limiting factor. The pilot had only one stage of flap down at the time. OUTCOME: Technical Manager reviewed report and has liaised with the LSA importer. The factory have issued a service bulletin and have also re-designed the locking latch. See the following documents on the RAAus Member Portal for access to the service bulletins below: Aeroprakt SB A32-02 - Modification of all-moving horizontal tail (AMHT) of A32 and A32L Aircraft see https://members.raa.asn.au/storage/sb-a32-02-modification-of-amht.pdf Aeroprakt Safety Alert A32-01 - Temporary limitation of VNE for A32 and A32L Aircraft see https://members.raa.asn.au/storage/sa-a32-01-temporary-limitation-of-vne.pdf
30/1/2017	OCC0931	Sunshine Coast Airport	QLD	The Airplane Factory	Sling 2	Rotax	912ULS	On return from a dual training flight it was noticed that the left wing fuel filler cap was missing....
On return from a dual training flight it was noticed that the left wing fuel filler cap was missing. Fuel was added prior to the flight and during the pre-flight inspection the fuel cap was noted to be in place. Because of a possible FOD risk, the matter was reported to Sunshine Coast Airport Operations who conducted a search of RWY 12 and found the fuel cap on the runway approximately 200 m from the RWY12 threshold. On close inspection of the fuel cap it was found that the key locking mechanisms was working but had become worn, allowing the key to be removed while in the unlocked position. The fuel cap is a key locking type and when operating correctly the key cannot be removed from the cap in the unlocked position. OUTCOME: The National Technical Manager has reviewed all data and is satisfied all areas of concern have been addressed. A notification to the Australian Sling agent was also made. Members with this type of aircraft should inspect their fuel cap and the locking mechanism to ensure it is not worn.
30/1/2017	OCC0903	Archerfield Airport	QLD	The Aircraft Factory	Sling LSA	Rotax	912IS	During circuits, the pilot was distracted by sun glare on short final. The aircraft bounced and enco...
During circuits, the pilot was distracted by sun glare on short final. The aircraft bounced and encountered pilot induced oscillation landing nose wheel first damaging the engine frame. The pilot went around and conducted a full stop landing. OUTCOME: The pilot lost control during landing/flare due to being visually affected by the sunlight glare. The school CFI has conducted further remedial training with the pilot on decision making (regarding missed approaches) prior to further command flight. Environmental, operational and decision making are all identified contributing factors in this accident.
29/1/2017	OCC0898	Moorabbin Airport	VIC	Aeroprakt	AP22LS Foxbat	Rotax	912ULS	During a trial instructional flight the aircraft entered Controlled Airspace without a clearance. O...
During a trial instructional flight the aircraft entered Controlled Airspace without a clearance. OUTCOME: The Instructor was distracted during delivery of a lesson and violated Moorabbin airspace. The CFI has required further retraining and a flight review prior to conducting further instruction to prevent a recurrence.
28/1/2017	OCC0904	Bendigo Airport	VIC	Tecnam	P92 Super Echo	Rotax	912	An aircraft experienced partial loss of engine power. Inbound traffic established on a straight in a...
An aircraft experienced partial loss of engine power. Inbound traffic established on a straight in approach vacated the circuit. The pilot called a glide approach from base and landed without further incident. OUTCOME: The National Technical Manager has reviewed all data and spoken to the delegated LAME and is satisfied all areas of concern have been addressed regarding the maintenance of the aircraft.
26/1/2017	OCC0896	Lilydale Airport	VIC	Pipistrel	Virus SW	Rotax	912 ULS	During a routine landing, the aircraft airspeed was too slow resulting in a sudden drop from 5-10ft ...
During a routine landing, the aircraft airspeed was too slow resulting in a sudden drop from 5-10ft onto the tricycle undercarriage causing damage to all three wheels, due to ensuing stall. On impact the aircraft slewed to the right and ran off onto grass, where it came to a stop. OUTCOME: While conducting a short field approach, using a glide approach and dive brakes (as per aircraft POH) the pilot did not manage the airspeed, attempted to stretch the glide and the aircraft stalled just above the ground, with insufficient height to conduct a go-around. The aircraft undercarriage and fairings were damaged and a possible propeller strike occurred.
26/1/2017	OCC0908	Orbost Airport	VIC	Jabiru	J160C	Jabiru	2200	Shortly after landing in a cross wind, the aircraft suddenly veered left while still traveling appro...
Shortly after landing in a cross wind, the aircraft suddenly veered left while still traveling approximately 50kt. This sharp turn resulted in the aircraft rolling to starboard and running off LH side of strip onto shoulder. As the pilot corrected and turned right, the prop struck the tarmac, due to being lower to ground, and as a result of aircraft rolling onto two wheels. OUTCOME: While landing at a tarmac airport, the pilot, who had previously been trained at a grass aerodrome, may not have corrected for the crosswind, and straightened the nose wheel prior to touching down. The pilot is completing further revision of cross wind technique and landing at hard surfaced runways. Pilots are reminded of the RAAus Runway - Loss of Control videos for further education about these issues https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg_Ix4UPJ3c
26/1/2017	OCC0909	The Vale Airstrip	TAS	Pipistrel	Virus SW 100is	Rotax	912is	After landing the pilot was taxiing to parking area in the paddock. As the aircraft is a tail dragge...
After landing the pilot was taxiing to parking area in the paddock. As the aircraft is a tail dragger the pilot needed to zig zag for visual reference. On this occasion the pilot did not see a 'witches hat' that had been placed on a post next to the laneway. When the pilot turned off the laneway to park, the propellor struck the bottom weight (5kg) of the 'witches hat' that was approximately 500mm off the ground. The pilot immediately applied both brakes which caused the aircraft to stand on its nose, breaking the spinner and lower engine cowling. One propellor blade broke off at hub, because of either the 'witches hat' or the ground strike. OUTCOME: While taxiing at a private airstrip, the pilot of the tail dragger aircraft failed to notice a 'witches hat' and once struck, applied excessive braking, causing the aircraft to pitch over and strike the propeller. Pilots are reminded of the importance of keeping a good lookout while taxiing and manoeuvring are required to clear the taxiing path ahead of the aircraft.
26/1/2017	OCC0901	North Stradbroke Island	QLD	X-Air	Hanuman	Rotax	912 UL	The pilot wanted to climb to gain more height so increased the throttle, as the revs were increasing...
The pilot wanted to climb to gain more height so increased the throttle, as the revs were increasing the motor started to cough and splutter. When the pilot backed off, the revs were perfect again indicating a fuel blockage somewhere around the 5000 rev range. The pilot thought it may be icing as well but as they were trying to work it out they were losing height and had to land on the beach. The landing was uneventful. OUTCOME: After an investigation of the engine issues the pilot identified that they had inadvertently added contaminated fuel. Member identified that they should use a funnel when re-fuelling their aircraft.
25/1/2017	OCC0907	Latrobe Regional Airport	VIC	Tecnam	P92 Eaglet	Rotax	912	The oil cap was left off the aircraft during routine pre-flight inspection. The issue was not found ...
The oil cap was left off the aircraft during routine pre-flight inspection. The issue was not found until following days flying. OUTCOME: RAAus has reviewed this report and no further action required. Members are advised to ensure that appropriate attention is paid (minimise distractions) when conducting pre-flight inspections of aircraft.
25/1/2017	OCC0917	Archer Falls	QLD	Arions	Lighting	Jabiru	3300	Just as the aircraft was about to touch down two large grey kangaroos ran onto the RWY and confronte...
Just as the aircraft was about to touch down two large grey kangaroos ran onto the RWY and confronted each other on the center line of the strip about 60-100 meters ahead. The pilot applied thrust get airborne again and attempt another touchdown in the remaining runway. The second touchdown was firm resulting in a prop strike and other damage. The aircraft was wings level throughout this manoeuver ending up a little left of runway center on shutdown. OUTCOME: The pilot was unable to execute a safe go around due to kangaroos on the runway and had insufficient stopping distance after avoiding a collision to safely stop the aircraft. Pilots are reminded of the dangers of wildlife incursions at private landing areas where limited recovery options are available.