Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
18/5/2017	OCC1053	Moorabbin Airport	VIC	The Airplane Factory	Sling 2 LSA	Rotax	912 IS	Upon landing on RWY17R (and decelerating below 30 knots) it became apparent that the aircraft's nose...
Upon landing on RWY17R (and decelerating below 30 knots) it became apparent that the aircraft's nosewheel was punctured and deflated. The ground run was difficult to control and the aircraft was vibrating. The pilot attempted to taxi the aircraft off the runway however the aircraft came to rest just before the intersection Alpha 4. OUTCOME: On investigation of the flat tyre the reporter stated that it was possibly due to runway debris. Tech Manager review the report and no further action required by RAAus.
17/5/2017	OCC1225	Watts Bridg Airfield	QLD	Home Built	Pup Replica	Rotec Radial	R3600	While doing taxi trials the aeroplane developed a ground loop that the pilot could not stop. The air...
While doing taxi trials the aeroplane developed a ground loop that the pilot could not stop. The aircraft has no brakes and is fitted with a tail skid, as per the normal Sopwith Pup. When the port lower plane dug in, the aeroplane came to rest inverted with little structural damage. DETERMINED OUTCOME: Due to hard ground, a tail wind and insufficient rudder area, the amateur built aircraft ground looped. The pilot has modified the rudder size, added additional surfaces to improve tail skid traction and amended processes to ensure ground assistance is available when taxiing in a tail wind.
16/5/2017	OCC1065	Murwillumbah	NSW	Monnett	Sonerai II-I	Rotax	912	Fatal Accident involving RAAus member. RAAus accident consultants are assisting police in determinin...
Fatal Accident involving RAAus member. RAAus accident consultants are assisting police in determining the causal factors that led to the accident. A special Enews was sent to members to inform them of the events https://www.vision6.com.au/em/message/email/view.php?id=1298289&u=70000&k=pn7wPDOMSgGx5f82JXOjAndtBYWJFwEB0JCnUmVwFWQ The Corner has dispensed with holding an inquest for this accident. The Coroner found that the pilot died from injuries as a result of the aircraft crash. Human factors may have contributed to the accident
15/5/2017	OCC1035	Grampians	VIC	Airborne	XT912S	Rotax	912	Relatively inexperienced pilot joined the circuit midfield (crosswind from the wrong direction) at t...
Relatively inexperienced pilot joined the circuit midfield (crosswind from the wrong direction) at the same time as the reporting pilots aircraft joined midfield (cross wind from the correct side). This resulted in both aircraft being overhead the runway at the same time and only separated by 40-50 meters. The pilot realised his error and vacated the circuit area to reassess the runway alignment and broadcasted intentions correctly. Both aircraft were microlights on a club trip, which included experienced pilots and two instructors (CFI and the pilot's own instructor). OUTCOME: The inexperienced pilot was unfamiliar with the airstrip which caused an incorrect reading of the runway direction (including anxiety of the inexperienced pilot wanting to land asap due to turbulence). inexperienced pilot has been counselled by two Instructors and other club members and fully understands the error made. The club will ensure inexperienced pilots are briefed to use more caution approaching unfamiliar runways. observe and wait for others to land to confirm duty runway and its orientation and generally learn from the actions of more experienced pilots on club trips. The pilot was fully prepared with flight planning however did not recognise the orientation of the airstrip and lost situational awareness which could be been gained by observing other aircraft and responding to circuit calls. The pilot has learned much from the incident. RAAus Operations have reviewed the report - no further actions required.
14/5/2017	OCC1034	Emkaytee Airfield	NT	Austflight ULA	Drifter Sb-582	Rotax	582 UL DCDI	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: During a maintenance period inspection, a crack was d...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: During a maintenance period inspection, a crack was detected in the bracket that supports the centre supporting pole (in the front A Frame and landing gear bracket). Upon removal it was found to be cracked through and extremely flexible. Pieces of the bracket fell away when lifted and the rear bolt hole was elongated. Aircraft has been grounded until a replacement bracket can be located. Determined Outcome: Aircraft being repaired. No further action required by RAAus.
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.