Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
13/5/2017	OCC1033	Sth Goulburn Island	NT	Jabiru	j120C	Jabiru	2200B	While taxiing, the aircraft became unstable. As the pilot was turning to return to the apron the win...
While taxiing, the aircraft became unstable. As the pilot was turning to return to the apron the wind gust upset the plane which resulted in a wingtip and propeller touching the surface of the runway. OUTCOME: Pilot advised that lessons learnt were to gain better aileron control and situational awareness when ground handling the aircraft. RAAus Operations have reviewed the information and proposed corrective actions, no further actions required. Members are reminded that awareness of ground handling is required.
12/5/2017	OCC1027	Warnervale Airport	NSW	Aeroprakt	A22LS Foxbat	Rotax	912	The engineer employed by Aircraft Owner was taxiing aircraft from its hangar to maintenance hangar f...
The engineer employed by Aircraft Owner was taxiing aircraft from its hangar to maintenance hangar for 50 hourly. As the aircraft reached a slight rise, the nose wheel lifted. The aircraft proceeded to leave the taxiway and collided with a fence and flag pole causing extensive damage to the port wing and snapping a propeller blade. DETERMINED OUTCOME: It is possible that the individual responsible for taxiing this aircraft was used to GA aircraft and may not have been familiar with the differences in ground handling characteristics of some recreational aircraft.
9/5/2017	OCC1024	Wagga Wagga	NSW	Tecnam	P92 Eaglet	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: The flap cross tube actuator arm was found with a cra...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: The flap cross tube actuator arm was found with a cracked weld toe at the junction (from the actuator arm to cross tube). Owner has contacted manufacturer who is looking at the cracked weld to determine a possible causal factor which may be a fault in the manufacture of the cross tube assembly. DETERMINED OUTCOME: RAAus Technical Manager has notified the factory.
7/5/2017	OCC1025	Mount Direction	TAS	Thruster	T-500	Rotax	582	Pilot was conducting the second flight of the day (air work just outside circuit area at 1500 ft) wh...
Pilot was conducting the second flight of the day (air work just outside circuit area at 1500 ft) when they experienced a brief loss of power. There was some response to the throttle for approximately 3 seconds then the engine failed (propeller stopped). The aircraft was out of gliding range of the airfield, so the pilot conducted a paddock landing into what appeared to be a satisfactory grazed paddock. On landing the aircraft clipped the upper strand of an electric fence at approximately 40kts (during initial round-out). The paddock was extremely rough and the aircraft ground-looped at low speed. Determined Outcome: An engine examination revealed pieces of bearing cage at the PTO inlet port and a subsequent engine strip confirmed a crankshaft failure. Investigations identified that this engine was involved in an accident 2 years prior. As the engine was only 30 hours old it is possible that the previous accident may have contributed to this issue.
4/5/2017	OCC1022	Roma	QLD	Skyfox	CA25N Gazelle	Rotax	912 A	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: The bolt on the right hand side top rear of the engin...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: The bolt on the right hand side top rear of the engine that secures the engine mount was found to be loose. The engine also seeped oil from between the crankcase halves at the rear of the engine during operation. The original engine bolt was used to secure the mount but the thread length was too short to make a secure contact with only about 6mm of engaged thread contacting the crankcase thread. This has most likely failed a short section of crankcase thread allowing the halves to separate during engine operation and because the bolt is locked wired, the fault is not easily detected. DETERMINED OUTCOME: Incorrect maintenance has likely contributed to this incident. RAAus Technical department is working on rolling out training packages for L1 maintainers during 2018.
2/5/2017	OCC1019	Moorabbin Airport	VIC	Foxbat	A22LS	Rotax	912ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: A carburettor float lost its coating and left large p...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: A carburettor float lost its coating and left large pieces floating/sitting in fuel bowl which could block the main fuel jet and cause engine stoppage. The serial number is outside the range of the latest RotaxSB-912-067UL R1 that requires replacement of specified float assy's OUTCOME: This issue has been referred to Rotax.
30/4/2017	OCC1021	Mid-flight Gayndah - Forest Hill	QLD	Minicab	G Y 201	Rolls Royce	0-200A	A faint smell was detected in cabin during flight. As the pilot was flying past a power station at ...
A faint smell was detected in cabin during flight. As the pilot was flying past a power station at the time it seemed it might have been the smell of burning coal. EMS indicated intermittent over-voltage alert (16.2V) and ammeter indicated a positive rate of charge at approx. 11A. The pilot concluded the voltage regulator must have failed. The pilot considered switching off the battery master and also considered removing the fuse for the alternator but decided instead to monitor for a while and continue the flight. The situation appeared stable - the smell didn't increase, in fact if anything it faded, the voltage appeared high but stable as did the charge rate. The flight concluded as planned. Upon landing some 40 minutes after first noticing the smell the pilot checked the battery, which is located in the rear fuselage. The smell was much stronger in there and the battery was quite hot - hot enough that the styrofoam packing between the battery and the battery enclosure showed signs of melting. The lid of the battery enclosure had condensation on the inside and after removing the battery there was a small amount of liquid in the bottom of the battery enclosure. The battery was removed and all liquid cleaned up. The fuselage was left open to ventilate. DETERMINED OUTCOME: The RAAus Technical Manager investigated this issue and determined that it was due to a failed voltage regulator.
30/4/2017	OCC1017	Kadina	SA	Jabiru	170	Jabiru	2200B	A pilot preformed a touch and go on an airfield that was closed. The cross to indicate a closed stri...
A pilot preformed a touch and go on an airfield that was closed. The cross to indicate a closed strip was not seen by the pilot. OUTCOME: Pilots are encouraged to overfly aerodromes in accordance with AIP ENR 1.1 – 82 Paragraph 10.9.5 to visually confirm (in the signal circle) that the aerodrome is serviceable. Pilots are also reminded that calling an aerodrome (see ERSA for contact details) will also assist in determining the status of facilities. This is particularly important at locations where a full NOTAM service is not available.
29/4/2017	OCC1016	Caboolture Airport	QLD	Aero Composite	Skydart 2s	Rotax	912	Upon lowering the nose wheel after landing, it detached. The aircraft veered right as the strut dug ...
Upon lowering the nose wheel after landing, it detached. The aircraft veered right as the strut dug in and the left wingtip contacted the ground causing some damage. The bolt holding the nose wheel assembly together was observed to be missing. It is not yet known if the nut securing the bolt had come off or if the bolt had sheared. DETERMINE DOUTCOME: Owner has self remediated this issue and determined that in the future he will use a larger bolt.
28/4/2017	OCC1015	Gatton Airpark Airport	QLD	Jabiru	LSA55/3J	Jabiru	2200J	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: When flying back after a 25 hourly service, an oil ho...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: When flying back after a 25 hourly service, an oil hose split during flight causing oil pressure to drop to nil. As the pilot was still in the circuit at YGAS, they reduced throttle to idle and conducted an immediate landing. The split hose was replaced.
26/4/2017	OCC1031	Wyalkatchem	WA	Pipistrel	Sinus	Rotax	912 UL	After touchdown in nil wind conditions the pilot lost directional control. The aircraft veered off t...
After touchdown in nil wind conditions the pilot lost directional control. The aircraft veered off the runway at 45 degrees and the pilot regained control 5 meters off the bitumen and re-entered runway at 45 degrees (50 meters from departure).
23/4/2017	OCC1009	Aldinga Airport	SA	Evektor	Sportstar	Rotax	912S	On returning to the airfield, a student was gradually descending from 1600ft and was told to ascend....
On returning to the airfield, a student was gradually descending from 1600ft and was told to ascend. At 1500ft, the student was asked again to increase altitude to which they initiated a positive push on the control stick. The instructor immediately took control and then noticed another aircraft rapidly approaching from the left front quarter at approximately the same altitude. An anti-collision manoeuvre was performed by pulling aft on the control stick in order to climb above the aircraft. The student commented after the incident that they had seen the aircraft before the instructor had taken control and thought they would try to descend below it by pushing the stick forward. At the time of the airprox both aircraft were at approximately 1400ft with the other established on a downwind leg. OUTCOME: CFI has followed up with the Senior Instructor and revised minimum flight tolerances for all instructors at the school to mitigate against further incidents. Communication protocols and "see and avoid processes to identify hazards between student and instructors have also been modified.
23/4/2017	OCC1018	Bathurst Airport	NSW	BRM	Bristell	Rotax	912UL	The nose-wheel leg of the aircraft collapsed on landing. DETERMINED OUTCOME: RAAus Technical Mana...
The nose-wheel leg of the aircraft collapsed on landing. DETERMINED OUTCOME: RAAus Technical Manager has notified the manufacturer of this issue.
23/4/2017	OCC1012	Bankstown	NSW	Aeroprakt	Vixxen	Rotax	912 ULS	During a flight training lesson on climbing, with utilisation of full power from time to time to dem...
During a flight training lesson on climbing, with utilisation of full power from time to time to demonstrate the different climb configurations, an odour of exhaust fumes was detected. This was confirmed by the CO detector turning black. The decision was made to return and land using minimal power upon return. DETERMINED OUTCOME: The LSA manufacturer has been made aware and a new exhaust design has been implemented to address issue. All operators have been notified and issues addressed across the fleet.
21/4/2017	OCC1008	Bathurst Airport	NSW	BRM Aero	Bristell	Rotax	912 ULS	Powered aircraft were conducting RH circuits on RWY35, gliding operations were on LH circuits RWY35 ...
Powered aircraft were conducting RH circuits on RWY35, gliding operations were on LH circuits RWY35 grass left. A powered aircraft conducting circuit training, announced its intentions on downwind, base and final approach to conduct a touch and go with the glider and tug combination in sight. The glider and tug combination commenced take-off with the aircraft on final approach, the aircraft had landed and applied full power for take-off with the glider and tug combination in sight. At the point of the incident the glider/tug were approximately 800m ahead of the aircraft, between 200-300’ AGL. The glider/ tug initiated an unannounced simulated launch failure. The glider broke hard to the right attempting to return to RWY17 grass right. In doing this, the glider crossed the main RWY 17/35 centreline. At this stage the aircraft (at rotation speed) sighted the glider in close proximity and descending rapidly and took positive action to abort the take-off. The glider came within approximately 100’ vertically of the aircraft and continued its approach to land on RWY17 grass right. As a result of braking at high speed, the brakes on the starboard side of the aircraft locked up and began smoking. After coming to an abrupt stop on RWY35 the aircraft announced its intentions to backtrack and vacate RWY35. Once clear of the active RWY with the ground observers reporting thick smoke coming from the starboard side main undercarriage the instructor parked the aircraft in a position clear of any buildings or flammable sources and safely disembarked the aircraft. Subsequent inspection showed that the brake fluid hose had separated from the calliper and both components showed signs of heat damage, requiring replacement of the components. Determined Outcome: Aerodrome operators should periodically meet to discuss issues. It is recommended that when potentially high risk exercises such as low level practice cable breaks are planned to occur that it is communicated to the duty instructors of other operators prior. It is also highly advisable that a radio transmission on the suitable frequency be broadcast to notify other users of an imminent practice. This incident highlights the important of see and avoid and presents a good example of correct decision making by the pilot who aborted the touch and go landing and subsequently landed to avoid further confliction.