Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
8/4/2017	OCC0988	Geraldton	WA	Morgan Aero Works	Cougar MK1	Jabiru	3.3	Whilst the aircraft was taxiing the nose wheel became stuck in loose dirt. Over use of right rudder ...
Whilst the aircraft was taxiing the nose wheel became stuck in loose dirt. Over use of right rudder by the pilot caused rudder cable to break. OUTCOME: This is an amateur built aircraft where the design standards are not mandated. On review of similar types of aircraft it has been identified that a bike brake cable is sometimes used in this application and is usually supplied with the kit. The RAAus Technical Manager has spoken with the aircraft designer of this amateur build regarding parts.
8/4/2017	OCC0995	Loxton Airfield	SA	Challenger	CH2	Rotax	503	The aircraft was tied down alongside the hangar when a very strong gust of wind broke the tie down r...
The aircraft was tied down alongside the hangar when a very strong gust of wind broke the tie down ropes and flipped the plane upside down, resulting in the wing landing on a club members’ car. OUTCOME: A freak convection gust (which was later reported to exceed 70kph caused the aircraft to lift from its tie downs which were tied down to water ballast containers). Consequently one rope failed when the aircraft was lifted and one rope attached to a water container snapped allowing the aircraft to flip over an adjacent fence and onto the car. No weather conditions were forecast to indicate extreme convection, storm or frontal activity according to owner.
1/4/2017	OCC1013	Gawler Airfield	SA	Zenith Aircraft	Zodiac Ch 601 Hds	Rotax	912 UL	As the pilot was turning right onto downwind, a glider was coming towards the aircraft from the slig...
As the pilot was turning right onto downwind, a glider was coming towards the aircraft from the slight right hand side (up the downwind). The pilot took action to avoid the glider as did they, the pilot radioed the glider to say they had been seen and avoided, however got no response. OUTCOME: The incident has been reported to the Gliding Club safety committee and CFI for follow up. It is likely it was a glider and pilot not familiar with the airfield and right hand circuits on RWY 23, the actions from the gliding club address any identified issues. RAAus Operations Manager has reviewed the report, no further action at this time.
1/4/2017	OCC0989	Wedderburn	NSW	Storm	Rally	Rotax	912 ULS	On flight from Wollongong to Wedderburn oil pressure dropped to 0.8 Bar which is well below the mini...
On flight from Wollongong to Wedderburn oil pressure dropped to 0.8 Bar which is well below the minimum of 2 Bar for the Rotax 912 ULS type. The pilot made a call to alert other traffic to the inflight emergency and priority given. An uneventful landing was made. An examination showed the lid on the oil tank had tilted up on one side allowing oil to escape. Residual oil in tank was found to be 600mm. Oil was replaced, the system purged of air and the oil pressure on start-up returned to normal. Compression afterwards was as expected and no damage to engine evident. During the emergency the CHT remained stable at 100 degrees C which is normal and the oil temperate was not elevated. DETERMINED OUTCOME: It is likely that this issue occurred due to a faulty O-ring on the oil tank. Owner operator reminded to review LSA manufactures maintenance schedule.
29/3/2017	OCC0991	Dalby	QLD	Sonex	Sonex	Jabiru	33A	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The green urethane hose used on static, pitot and fuel lines ...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The green urethane hose used on static, pitot and fuel lines have aged quickly and become very brittle and will crumble at the slightest touch or vibration. Determined Outcome: RAAus Technical department has suggested that the hoses be replaced and that the L2 discusses ongoing airworthiness with the owner of the this aircraft. As a 19 amateur built members are free to trial times that may not be deemed suitable in normal engineering activities.
28/3/2017	OCC0984	Fyshwick	ACT	Icarus	Wombat	Rotax	912
26/3/2017	OCC0983	Bendigo	VIC	Tecnam	P92	Rotax	912 ULS	When taxiing out to RWY35 via 23, at the gable markers the pilot positioned the aircraft to look for...
When taxiing out to RWY35 via 23, at the gable markers the pilot positioned the aircraft to look for any traffic on final of 35. Nothing was sighted. Another aircraft was approximately 300m downwind abeam the piano keys and gave a call to state they were doing a glide approach onto 35. The taxiing aircraft made a call to say it was entering and lined up for an immediate intersection departure. As they entered the RWY the pilot noticed the second aircraft was approx. still 700AGL at a 45 degree to RWY35 about 1800m away 1/2 way on base. Determined Outcome: All schools contacted to ask them to co-ordinate operations using effective alerted see and avoid and appropriate airmanship for RAAus flight training schools
26/3/2017	OCC0973	Dalby	QLD	Lockwood	Drifter	Rotax	582 ULS DCDI	Due to a miscalculation of fuel usage, the aircraft suffered fuel starvation on late finals during c...
Due to a miscalculation of fuel usage, the aircraft suffered fuel starvation on late finals during circuit practice. The engine continued to run but not make power. After exiting the aerodrome boundary of the active RWY the aircraft was inspected and found that there was no usable fuel remaining. After fuel was added the aircraft started and engine operated normally. The pilot has since re-read the Drifter flight manual and recalculated fuel burn for further operations. OUTCOME: There is currently no minimum fuel requirements prescribed for day VFR fuel reserves. Pilots are reminded to reference the pilot operating handbook and confirm fuel burn rate as there are a range of factors that affect this. See CAAP 234-1(1) Guidelines for Aircraft Fuel Requirements.
26/3/2017	OCC0975	Bendigo	VIC	Alpi	Pioneer 300	Rotax	912 ULS	When on late downwind after ensuring that there was sufficient spacing between the preceding aircraf...
When on late downwind after ensuring that there was sufficient spacing between the preceding aircraft (on mid to late final) the pilot closed the throttle and made a radio call that they were executing a practice glide approach. When at approx. 200-300ft above ground height on short final, a radio call was heard indicating that an aircraft was entering the active runway for an intersection departure and an aircraft was seen to enter, without time for a responding radio call. The pilot of the first aircraft immediately initiated a go around, however there were then three aircraft in relatively close proximity on upwind. Outcome: This incident highlights the importance of aerodrome users working together to ensure safety. RAAus strongly recommends that recreational flying clubs at all airports seek to form or become a part of an already established aerodrome users safety committee. This type of committee should allow all users to express their concerns and needs in a forum where issues can be dealt with in a professional and respectful manner.
24/3/2017	OCC1155	Jandakot Airport	WA	Evektor	Sportstar Plus	Rotax	912 ULS	A VH registered aircraft was taxiing for departure and reported on ADC @ frequency approaching R24R ...
A VH registered aircraft was taxiing for departure and reported on ADC @ frequency approaching R24R holding point at TWY C1. The pilot was instructed to hold short of R24R and read back the instruction. The aircraft was observed to enter R24R and the pilot was advised of their error. Due to this error an RAAus registered aircraft was sent around from final. Determined Outcome: Investigated by ASA. No further action taken by RAAus.
21/3/2017	OCC0969	Cutters Field Abergowrie	QLD	Skyfox	CA22	Rotax	UL912 80 hp	Contaminated fuel caused EFOTO. Pilot proceeded with an out landing fuel drained Carby bowls cleaned...
Contaminated fuel caused EFOTO. Pilot proceeded with an out landing fuel drained Carby bowls cleaned and found water in Carby bowls. Proceeded with restart did run up checks all systems ok returned to airstrip. Pilots are reminded of the importance of ensuring pre-flight checks are thoroughly conducted particularly in regard to the presence of possible contaminates in fuel.
21/3/2017	OCC0970	Abergowrie	QLD	Skyfox	CA22	Rotax	UL912 80 hp	Contaminated fuel caused EFOTO. Pilot proceeded with an out landing fuel drained Carby bowls cleaned...
Contaminated fuel caused EFOTO. Pilot proceeded with an out landing fuel drained Carby bowls cleaned and found water in Carby bowls. Proceeded with restart did run up checks all systems ok returned to airstrip. Pilots are reminded of the importance of ensuring pre-flight checks are thoroughly conducted particularly in regard to the presence of possible contaminates in fuel.
20/3/2017	OCC0966	Bunbury	WA	Evektor	Sportstar Plus	Rotax	912 ULS	A Pilot was on a solo cross country exercise arrived at YBUN for a touch and go. They did a go aroun...
A Pilot was on a solo cross country exercise arrived at YBUN for a touch and go. They did a go around due to bumpy conditions on short finals. On the second approach the pilot was in the flare near the ground and experienced drift to the left and some turbulence. They attempted to go around again. The aircraft yawed to the left and started rolling towards the trees. The pilot attempted to roll to the right but the aircraft continued to bank to the left and entered the trees approximately 20m from the RWY strip. Outcome: The qualified pilot certificate holder was on his first solo Navex under supervision of the CFI and a touch and go at Bunbury was included in this plan. All weather was assessed and reviewed prior to flight departure. All flight decision making and operations were reviewed and subsequently debriefed as acceptable. The accident was the result of loss of control at low airspeed due to control management and the effect of the prevailing conditions at the aerodrome were also a contributing factor. The pilot has not returned to active operations at this time but will undertake appropriate refresher training in this area prior to any further command flight.
19/3/2017	OCC0972	2nm NE Murray Field Airport	WA	Fly Synthesis	Storch HS J	Jabiru	2200A	After operating normally, for approximately 40 minutes, the aircraft engine began to run roughly. Th...
After operating normally, for approximately 40 minutes, the aircraft engine began to run roughly. This occurred at 3000ft, in an almost clear sky. The temperature at the time and altitude was estimated to be 18 degrees Celsius, and there had been no rain since the previous day, but carburettor icing was suspected as the problem. The pilot applied carburettor heat, and worked the throttle but the problem persisted. The pilot advised traffic at YMUL that the aircraft had engine problems and was making a straight in approach on RWY 23. The engine continued to run roughly, and at around 400ft on final there was mild vibration and the engine stopped completely. Two brief attempts to restart were unsuccessful, and an engine-out landing on the runway was carried out without further incident. Some 15 minutes after landing the engine was restarted and performed normally. After conducting a fuel drain check the engine was run up and checked at various power settings without any signs of rough running. A test flight was conducted with a climb to 3500ft over YMUL, without problem. The pilot then departed YMUL for YSEN 7nm away. A normal powered approach and landing was made at YSEN. OUTCOME: Carburettor icing continues to be a factor in many partial and total engine failures but is not easily identified in subsequent mechanical investigations due to lack of physical evidence. Use of suitable heat control systems may not be sufficient by the time the symptoms become evident to the pilot and therefore pilots need to be vigilant wherever the possibility not just the likelihood of icing conditions are present. Visible moisture is one constant required for any possibility of carby ice forming and in Australia transitional seasonal periods of high humidity and decreasing temperatures often occur between March and June which can increase the likelihood of potential icing conditions even when not forecast.
17/3/2017	OCC0977	Deniliquin	NSW	Jabiru	J230D	Jabiru	3300	The engine started to run rough approximately 8NM from Deniliquin and subsequently failed on approac...
The engine started to run rough approximately 8NM from Deniliquin and subsequently failed on approach to the airfield. OUTCOME: Initial inspection by L1 maintainer has shown that the engine has lost a valve and seat. Due to aircraft being an LSA the engine has been sent to the manufacturer, along with copies of the log books/ The owner is awaiting to hear from the manufacturer the outcome of the engine tear down inspection.