Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
7/9/2016	OCC0760	Yarram	VIC	Jabiru	J170	Jabiru	2200	The ATSB investigated a fatal aircraft accident involving a Jabiru J170, registration 24-5215, at Ya...
The ATSB investigated a fatal aircraft accident involving a Jabiru J170, registration 24-5215, at Yarram Airfield, Victoria at 15.44 EST Wednesday 7 September. It was reported that the aircraft collided with terrain while the pilot was conducting circuits. The pilot was the only person on board the aircraft. The ATSB deployed three investigators to the site. The ATSB found that the aircraft was likely subject to mechanical turbulence at the threshold of runway 09 at Yarram aerodrome. Trees and hangars on the north-eastern perimeter of the aerodrome were known locally to cause turbulence in the last 50 ft of the approach when the wind gusted out of the east-northeast. This information was not published in the Airservices Australia En Route Supplement Australia entry for Yarram aerodrome. The pilot was also likely affected by physical and mental fatigue given their age, medical history and recent physical labour. Fatigue’s effect on attention, reaction time, and vigilance likely exacerbated the pilot’s mishandling of the landing attempt and the subsequent go-around. The completed report pertaining to this accident is available on the ATSB website at https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2016/aair/ao-2016-112/
5/9/2016	OCC0751	Caboolture	QLD	The Aeroplane Factory	Sling 2	Rotax	912	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During scheduled maintenance excessive play was noticed on th...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During scheduled maintenance excessive play was noticed on the port flap. This, with pressure, enabled a movement of 3/8" at the trailing edge. On investigation the holes in the flap tubes, under the pilots floor, were found elongated slightly allowing the movement in the flap tube joint. OUTCOME: Appropriate maintenance and servicing has been carried out. Works were completed by LAME/L2 on LSA Sling 2. The Australian agent has been made aware of the potential issue and will monitor.
4/9/2016	OCC0746	Gabyon Station, Yalgoo	WA	Australian Aircraft Kits	Hornet Stol	Rotax	912	On landing there was a strong gusty Northerly wind. When the aircraft was approximately one meter of...
On landing there was a strong gusty Northerly wind. When the aircraft was approximately one meter off the ground a strong gust of wind hit the nose of the aircraft which caused the nose of the aircraft to rise and, on correction, the aircraft nose dived into the ground and somersaulted to land on the roof. OUTCOME: Pilot was competent and experienced in aircraft operation and aware of conditions at the time of the incident and correctly applied appropriate landing technique based on the situation. Whilst completing the landing roll, and "pinning" the tail wheel, a severe gust caused the aircraft to pitch and become airborne finally inverting on impact. The aircraft was destroyed however no injuries were sustained. High lift, lightweight recreational tail wheel aircraft that are often used for off airport operations. These aircraft are more susceptible to thermic turbulence and wind gusts during take off, and particularly landing, and require appropriate decision making regarding operation and use during these conditions.
29/8/2016	OCC0745	Caboolture	QLD	Bantam	Bs	Rotax	582	While descending to the dead side from 2000 ft to finally join crosswind on RWY12, and some where ab...
While descending to the dead side from 2000 ft to finally join crosswind on RWY12, and some where above RWY06 the pilot noticed a bird attacking what looked like a blue plastic bag (not uncommon sighting due to location of airfield to the tip). The bird and bag/ paper were making strange movements and the pilots thought that it could have possibly been a drone. The pilot lost sight of the bag and bird and landed safely. This possible drone sighting was mentioned at a later date to the local CFI and a student and the student confirmed that there had indeed been a drone flown over the hangers on that date that was playing with a bird. The pilot determined that the drone was about 1200 ft to 1000ft above RWY06 with no drone activity scheduled for the airfield. OUTCOME: This information has been reported to CASA in the interests of air safety and interference of drones with RAAus aircraft will continue to be monitored. Local area signage and procedures is recommended to ensure air operations do not conflict.
27/8/2016	OCC0740	Watts Bridge	QLD	Edra	Super Petrel LS	Rotax	912 ULS	Pilot experienced a radio communications failure after take-off from Watts Bridge fly in. Receiving ...
Pilot experienced a radio communications failure after take-off from Watts Bridge fly in. Receiving communication from other traffic was very weak and scratchy however the pilot maintained planned outbound track and climb to 2500 feet. The pilot attempted to resolve the issue by using alternative headsets and jacks and squawked 7600 to contact Brisbane Ctr 125.7 to advise other aircraft of the radio issue. The pilot revised their track to remain OCTA and divert around Archerfield CTR. The pilot broadcast twice more to Brisbane advising of other minor track and height changes and landed at Heckfield safely. OUTCOME: Operations has reviewed this report and have noted that the pilot carries a series of emergency procedures prompt cards to ensure that they follow the correct protocol. The cause of radio issues were unable to be identified however a future recommendation is to carry a back up hand held radio as a redundancy.
27/8/2016	OCC0753	Riddell Airfield	VIC	TOPAZ	KR 030	Rotax	UL	After a one hour local flight, when the pilot was on late final with 90 degree cross wind varying be...
After a one hour local flight, when the pilot was on late final with 90 degree cross wind varying between 10 and 15 kts. Approaching over the threshold at approximately 50 kts, nose into wind, the aircraft suddenly lost speed. The aircraft was then too slow to line up with the RWY. The aircraft landed heavily on the left main wheel cracking the leg. OUTCOME: Operations have reviewed the report. Pilot has conducted remedial training since the incident and suggested that in these conditions it would have been appropriate to have more speed on approach.
27/8/2016	OCC0739	Wollongong Regional Airport	NSW	Jabiru	J160C	Jabiru	22B	Aircraft was lined up for take-off on RWY26. As the pilot commenced the take-off run, the aircraft s...
Aircraft was lined up for take-off on RWY26. As the pilot commenced the take-off run, the aircraft started to veer to the left and the pilot over-corrected. The aircraft ran off the left side of the tar runway onto the grass, hit water pooled in the grass, then bounced up off a drainage channel. The aircraft then ran along a barbed-wire fence (on left of aircraft) until the aircraft went through the fence (where it made a right-angle bend). It then continued along the fence (now on right side of aircraft) until a fencepost tore the right wing-strut off the wing. The aircraft then dug the left wingtip into soft earth of the paddock, causing it to nose over and come to rest, inverted, on the barbed-wire fence, facing back in the opposite direction to the one it had been travelling. OUTCOME: The pilot lost control of the aircraft in the take off phase resulting in a runway excursion and collision with boundary fence. Contributing factors were incorrect take off technique, uneven runway surface and focus on defined external reference points during the take off roll. The pilot has been requested to undertake a full review with a RAAus Senior Flight Instructor prior to further command flight.
26/8/2016	OCC0886	Tamworth Airport	NSW	Evektor	SportsStar	Rotax	912 ULS	During circuit training with a student who required close attention, the downwind call for landing w...
During circuit training with a student who required close attention, the downwind call for landing was missed resulting in the aircraft landing without clearance. OUTCOME: As a result of this incident it was agreed, after consultation with the Tower, that a Base call be made during circuit training to bring this into line with requirements for the parallel runway. This procedure will reduce the time between the call and landing and therefore reduce the possibility of missing the call due to time pressures.
26/8/2016	OCC0738	South Grafton Aerodrome	NSW	Morgan	Sierra	Jabiru	3300	After returning from a local flight to land on RWY08 the aircraft touched down on the bitumen after ...
After returning from a local flight to land on RWY08 the aircraft touched down on the bitumen after floating in ground effect for some distance. When the seal ends there is another 300 metres of grass and the aircraft continued onto the grass on the left hand side. There had been significant rain in the days prior and there was a very soft patch of ground. The nose wheel sank into the soft patch, the nose leg bent and the aircraft came to a halt. The aircraft crossed the fence at approximately 65 kts with more than 30 ft of altitude. The air was particularly buoyant and the aircraft seemed to float along forever however eventually ran out of energy. The pilot touched down on the main under carriage and had the nose wheel on the ground before the end of the bitumen. OUTCOME: Pilot approached too fast, and failed to recognise a potential runway overrun as a result of the increased approach speed. The aircraft overran the bitumen component of the runway, and the nose wheel subsequently dug into the grass component of the runway overrun area. As a result of recent rain, the grass was softer than expected and the nose wheel was bent. Pilot has noted future flights will ensure a go/no-go assessment is made and a go-around initiated early enough to prevent a recurrence.
20/8/2016	OCC0736	Crab Claw Island	NT	Tecnam	P92 Echo	Rotax	912 UL	Pilot had set up to land and was flaring before landing. As they pulled on the control stick (back t...
Pilot had set up to land and was flaring before landing. As they pulled on the control stick (back to flare) the passenger's drink container cooler (located between his legs) restricted the stick from any backwards movement. The plane landed heavily on the nose wheel first then the pilot felt the tail hit the runway and the plane veered to the left of the runway. The pilot began to brake hard and steer back to the centre of the runway however the plane did not change course and continued into the trees. The left wing hit the trees and the aircraft went sideways and stopped. OUTCOME: Pilot was unable to correctly flare the aircraft during the landing phase due to the passenger retaining a small drinks container on his lap. Future operations will ensure an adequate passenger briefing is conducted and confirm that items are correctly stowed as part of pre-landing checks.
20/8/2016	OCC0743	Adelaide Soaring Club, Gawler	SA	Jabiru	J170C	Jabiru	2200B	The pilot (instructor) and student were taxiing out towards RWY23 whilst listening out on the radio ...
The pilot (instructor) and student were taxiing out towards RWY23 whilst listening out on the radio of where all circuit traffic was. There was a light 5-10 knot head wind towards RWY23 use. At the hold point, prior to crossing over the active runway, the pilot and student conducted a good visual lookout to ensure that no aircraft was on final (and that no one was having an emergency and doing a tail wind landing) and that no aircraft was about to take off. The pilot and student heard no radio call of any aircraft on final, no rolling call from the aircraft on the threshold and no threshold traffic was moving. The pilot made a radio call to taxi across the runway, as is procedure, and taxied across the runway. Almost across the runway, the pilot and student received a call from a tug and glider combo that they were rolling right behind their aircraft. Neither the pilot or student had heard any radio call and when they started crossing RWY23, the tug and glider were stationary. The pilot had sufficient separation and taxied out of the way and the two aircraft were airborne and behind and above them when the pilot was alerted that they had taken off. The pilot exchanged radio calls to the effect of maintaining sufficient separation. On returning to the ground after the flight, the pilot and student discovered from numerous sources that their taxiing crossing radio call came through however the rolling call did not and both aircraft had transmitted at the same time. Radio communication and situational awareness/good lookout prevented any incident. OUTCOME: The pilot of the Jabiru conducted usual lookout and radio call procedures, as did the glider/tug combination. Due to failed radio reception, the call from the glider/tug was not received, and the glider/tug combination did not observe the Jabiru crossing the runway. Pilots are reminded of the importance of alerted "see and avoid" and ensuring runways are clear in both directions, both on the ground and for approaches. OPERATIONAL GUIDANCE AT ADELAIDE SOARING CLUB: As aerodrome operator they have revised their operational guidance as follows: • Taxying aircraft intending to enter a runway must stop at the hold point and ensure that it is “all clear” before proceeding. • No glider tug shall be left parked on the “take-off pad”. • Pilots are to assume that if a tug is on the “take-off pad” that a glider launch is imminent. • When a tug is on the “take-off pad” any aircraft intending to enter the same RWY must make radio contact with the tug pilot to establish the status of the tug operation. The tug pilot will advise the aircraft intending to enter the runway if it is safe to do so.
17/8/2016	OCC0807	Moorabbin Airport	VIC	Jabiru	J-160C	Jabiru	2200	The pilot was issued instructions to join the circuit and follow a C172. The pilot turned and mistak...
The pilot was issued instructions to join the circuit and follow a C172. The pilot turned and mistakenly followed the wrong aircraft. When the error was detected the pilot was instructed to go around and rejoin the circuit on mid downwind. OUTCOME: While in a high traffic environment at Moorabbin, the pilot mistakenly followed the wrong aircraft. Once advised by the tower he conducted a go-around to avoid a possible mid air collisions. Pilots are reminded to remain vigilant in the circuit at all times to avoid possible conflict with other circuit traffic.
15/8/2016	OCC0730	Unknown	SA	Foxcon Aviation	Terrier T200	Rotax	912 15	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: An aircraft owner had a partial failure of the reduct...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: An aircraft owner had a partial failure of the reduction drive belt, in that about 15mm of the 60mm belt was shredded. In this instance it was fairly soon after a major service. The service had been done because the aircraft had just been purchased. During the repair it was discovered that the belt had never been at the correct tension. OUTCOME: Technical Manager reviewed this report and comments that this issue could be due to the design or poor maintenance. After review of previous reports RAAus have not identified any incidents of this kind previously. This type of reduction system is not widely used anymore. The Foxcon aircraft are a amateur built and do not conform to a known design standard. If another occurrence is logged in the OMS further suggested notifications to the membership will be considered.
15/8/2016	OCC0732	Moorabbin	VIC	Aeroprakt	Foxbat A22LS	Rotax	912 ULS	A student was sent for a solo circuit to be completed inside the Moorabbin airspace, which was succe...
A student was sent for a solo circuit to be completed inside the Moorabbin airspace, which was successfully completed. Upon landing the student took the bravo taxiway exit from RWY 35r. ATC asked the student to hold short of RWY35l. The student proceeded to cross the holding point of 35l. ATC asked the student to stop immediately as another aircraft was airborne on RWY35l. OUTCOME: Pilot was trained in CTA procedures, held a PPL and was undertaking a single solo circuit to confirm competence in CTA operations. The aircraft rolled through a taxiway threshold by one plane length and the aircraft on take off passed over head at 200 FT AGL. The pilot and Senior Instructor have been counselled and further assessment and retraining will be undertaken prior to further solo flight. CFI also holds weekly Instructor standards and safety meetings intended to raise awareness of these or other issues.
15/8/2016	OCC0731	Moruya Airport	NSW	Rutan	Varieze	Continental	O-200A	The pilot was flying to Moruya from Cooma to for unscheduled maintenance. About 15 NM from the Moruy...
The pilot was flying to Moruya from Cooma to for unscheduled maintenance. About 15 NM from the Moruya airfield the engine started missing beats. At about 10 NM from the airfield (having applied cold air induction) the aircraft started surging and at about 4-5 NM from the airfield the engine died. An attempt was made to restart the engine by closing the cold air induction, adding carburetor heat and changing fuel tanks (the aircraft has no starter). The pilot was within gliding distance of RWY36 and called their intentions and was acknowledged. The pilot lowered the nose wheel undercarriage, cut the corner of the circuit to clear hangars and completed a radical turn, close to the ground but safe, to line up on the airfield and landed safely. The pilot was then gripped by a thought that they had not lowered the undercarriage and (without confirming this thought) wound the undercarriage up whilst the canard wing was still working during the ground run. The canard wing eventually stalled and the nose dropped onto a rubber pad located on the retracted nose wheel leg. The rubber pad is sacrificial for wheel up landings. The rubber pad sheared and fuselage fiberglass and pitot tube were ground away. The pilot vacated the aircraft and pushed it off the airfield. OUTCOME: This aircraft was later inspected by a LAME / L2. The cause of the engine failure is believed to be due to the aircraft having a mud wasp nest (due to long period without use). They intend to strip the engine down. Subsequent nose gear leg being retracted was caused by the stress of the engine failure and the pad failing due to incorrect hardware (is observational as aircraft is an amateur built aircraft). Members are reminded to conduct pre-flight inspections and refer to the RAAus knowledge base regarding information on mud wasps https://facts.raa.asn.au/environmental/mud-wasps/