Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
12/11/2016	OCC0820	2km South of Miling	WA	Jabiru	J170D	Jabiru	2200	A mechanical failure of the engine occurred during a cross country training flight, resulting in an ...
A mechanical failure of the engine occurred during a cross country training flight, resulting in an emergency landing in an outfield. The engine presented no signs of any issues and all temps and pressures were well within operating standards at the time of the engine failure. OUTCOME: Engine appears to have No. 4 piston collapse with conrod or big end impacting crankcase internals. Engine will be sent to manufacturer (LSA) to conduct a strip down and the surviving pistons will be crack checked by Aerospace NDI company. LSA aircraft which comes under ATSM standard with CASA.
12/11/2016	OCC0819	Between Caboolture airport and Bribie Island	QLD	Aeroprakt	A32 Vixxen	Rotax	912 ULS	After leveling out at 1500ft the aircraft hit a patch of light to moderate turbulence, the passenger...
After leveling out at 1500ft the aircraft hit a patch of light to moderate turbulence, the passenger side door flew open and then sprung back inside the cabin jamming in the door frame. Pilot has suggested that a probable causes was due to the door flexing in the turbulence which allowed the front of the door to open slightly into airstream with the precipitating wind force overpowering the door latch. OUTCOME: RAAus Technical Manager has reviewed this report and liaised with the LSA Manufacturer who is addressing the problem and an additional type lock or bracket has been suggested. The LSA manufacturer will be notifying all affected owners.
9/11/2016	OCC0812	Orange Airport	NSW	Jabiru	160C	Jabiru	2200B	Aircraft experiences a bird strike on landing with no damage to aircraft reported. OUTCOME: This i...
Aircraft experiences a bird strike on landing with no damage to aircraft reported. OUTCOME: This is the first report regarding a bird strike in this area. RAAus will continue to monitor any bird strikes reports for this area and ensure information in the ERSA for the local area advises appropriate information.
9/11/2016	OCC0817	Echuca Airport	VIC	Jabiru	J160c	Jabiru	2200B	Conducting circuits on a sealed RWY. As the main gear came into contact with the RWY there was a jol...
Conducting circuits on a sealed RWY. As the main gear came into contact with the RWY there was a jolt felt through the rudder pedals. The aircraft was more than halfway down the RWY and the pilot pushed the throttle to full power and initiated a go around. After the aircraft lifted off the RWY the pilot realized there was no rudder control at all. The pilot then flew a low level circuit and landed the aircraft safely without further incident. OUTCOME: On inspection it was found that the rudder cable had broken on the rearmost thread (which is used to adjust cable length) where the cable is attached to the rudder pedals. The Jabiru Service Bulletin and inspection had been carried out by L2 about 3 weeks prior to the incident with no defects evident at the time. Due to this aircraft being an LSA and coming under the ASTM standards, de-identified information has been forwarded to CASA for follow up with the required manufacturer.
9/11/2016	OCC1030	Broken Hill Airport	NSW	Aeroprakt	A32	Rotax	912	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: The Bowden cable used to operate the carburettor heat...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: The Bowden cable used to operate the carburettor heat on this aircraft has been configured so that when the control knob in the cockpit is pilled, the cable end at the carburettor extends. The change f direction in the cable's action is achieved by the single wire carburettor heater control cable having a 180 degree bend half way along its length. In the form of a tight 'U', and doubling back along itself for a couple of inches. The cable sleeve is in two separate parts so that the portion of the cable with the 'U' bend is exposed, and free to move outside the sleeve. On this particular aircraft the cable sleeves were not supported at the ends near the 'U' bend. This allowed the cable sleeves to move with the control cable and prevent the carburettor heater valve from operating correctly. DETERMINED OUTCOME: This issue has been rectified and the Maintenance Manager has also notified the manufacturer of the issue.
8/11/2016	OCC0822	Darwin	NT	Flysynthesis	Storch S500	Rotax	912	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Upon removing the top and bottom cowls it was noticed...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Upon removing the top and bottom cowls it was noticed that the starboard muffler had come adrift from its mounting and was in fact inside the bottom cowl. Some minor chaffing had occurred. OUTCOME: After discussions with the maintainer it appears that previous maintenance practices, in regard to correct parts not being used, has not been complied with. The L2 has identified this issue and sourced parts from local supplier.
8/11/2016	OCC0814	Simpson Desert	NT	The Aircraft Factory	Sling 2	Rotax	912 IS	Warp Drive Propellor hub failed in flight after 5-10 seconds of vibration. The pilot attempted to fi...
Warp Drive Propellor hub failed in flight after 5-10 seconds of vibration. The pilot attempted to find a motor setting with minimal vibration however the ensuing failure occurred very quickly. The engine was then shut down and a forced landing site ensured. A "MAYDAY" was called and EPIRB activated. The landing was conducted as slow as possible with motor off, the flaps fully down, and switches off. The canopy was open (it opened after the hub failure due to the vibration) and the pilot ensured the passenger was tightly secured. The aircraft was damaged on landing however no injuries were reported. OUTCOME: Factory have issued a service bulletin for an inspection schedule on the Warp Drive Propeller Hub at each 100 hourly. The factory will also supply a letter of authorisation for the fitment of Australian made Bolly 3 blade ground adjustable propellers. Members are reminded to contact the appropriate Search and Rescue authorities to clarify a safe landing when calling a "MAYDAY" and activation of a EPIRB.
7/11/2016	OCC0811	Cobbity	NSW	Jabiru	J160C	Jabiru	2200B	A precautionary landing was conducted after the pilot noted engine vibration in normal flight. OUTC...
A precautionary landing was conducted after the pilot noted engine vibration in normal flight. OUTCOME: Aircraft has been inspected and a section of the propeller spinner back plate become dislodged during flight which caused the vibration.
7/11/2016	OCC0810	Mount Phillip Homestead Airstrip	WA	Aeroprakt	A-22LS	Rotax	912ULS	During take-off the pilot opened the throttle to get up to speed however the aircraft did not seem t...
During take-off the pilot opened the throttle to get up to speed however the aircraft did not seem to be performing, despite the gauges reading okay. The pilot decided to abort the take-off however was too late to pull up before the end of the RWY. The aircraft went through a ditch and several bushes, coming to a stop approximately 45m from the end of the RWY. After inspection it appeared that the handbrake of the aircraft may have been engaged. OUTCOME: Investigations revealed the hand brake of the aircraft may still have been engaged reducing the performance of the aircraft. Pilots are reminded of the importance of using checklists to ensure the aircraft is configured correctly for the intended phase of flight, and early actions to reject take-off if reduced aircraft response is recognised.
6/11/2016	OCC0900	Buckland	TAS	Jabiru	J120C	Jabiru	2200	On approach to a one way private airfield, an unexpected tailwind was encountered. The pilot was add...
On approach to a one way private airfield, an unexpected tailwind was encountered. The pilot was additionally forced to hold off the touch-down due to noticing unexpected loose stones on the approach end of the paddock. The plane was landed normally on the remainder of the paddock however the grassed surface had a pronounced undulation which greatly reduced the braking effectiveness. The plane was almost brought to a stop however made contact with some bushes at the far end, resulting in one propeller blade being broken. OUTCOME: On approach to a one way private airfield, an unexpected tailwind was encountered, and in an effort to avoid loose stones an extended float occurred. The aircraft landed normally on the remainder of the paddock, but the grassed surface had a pronounced undulation which greatly reduced the braking effectiveness. The aircraft was almost stopped when it made contact with bushes at the far end, resulting in one propeller blade being broken. Appropriate engine teardown and required maintenance was subsequently conducted.
4/11/2016	OCC0813	Narrogin Airfield	WA	Jabiru	J170	Jabiru	2200	Tow plane attempted to land and was prevented by an aircraft occupying the runway. OUTCOME: RAAus O...
Tow plane attempted to land and was prevented by an aircraft occupying the runway. OUTCOME: RAAus Operations contacted the pilot of the aircraft and recommended a ground and flight review to provide assurance of understanding of operations with gliders.
4/11/2016	OCC0815	Archerfield Airport	QLD	Sling	2	Rotax	912	Whilst conducting a touch and go on the grass RWY04R, during the climb out a magpie took flight and ...
Whilst conducting a touch and go on the grass RWY04R, during the climb out a magpie took flight and impacted the inboard leading edge of the port wing. OUTCOME: No damage sustained to the aircraft. Archerfield had two reports in early 2016 of bird strikes and information is contained in the ESIR for the local area which outlines the seasons when the bird population increases. RAAus will continue to monitor for any future recurrence of this type of incident in this area.
4/11/2016	OCC0808	Dunwich Airfield	QLD	Tecnam	P2008	Rotax	912 ULS	During an instructional flight a radio call joining downwind RWY15 at YDUN was made. Approximately 3...
During an instructional flight a radio call joining downwind RWY15 at YDUN was made. Approximately 30 seconds later another aircraft was heard giving a 3 NM call inbound for joining right downwind RWY33. This put both aircraft on a collision course. The instructor had the student give a turning base RWY15 Dunwich call, no response was heard from the other aircraft. On short final the instructor heard the other aircraft call they were joining downwind on RWY33. As it was likely that the Tecnam would have to go round the instructor made the radio call that they may have to go around and suggested the second aircraft leave the circuit area to which they replied OK. The Tecnam landed and the other aircraft returned to the circuit and landed on RWY15. OUTCOME: RAAus Operations Manager has reviewed this report. De-identified information regarding this report has been forwarded to CASA to follow up with the VH registered aircraft involved.
4/11/2016	OCC0833	Hazelgrove	NSW	Savanah	V.G	Rotax	912	The landing was on a one-way private strip. The approach was conducted too high and too fast to land...
The landing was on a one-way private strip. The approach was conducted too high and too fast to land safely but the pilot left the option of going around too late (tall heavy timber was in the way) and committed to landing. The aircraft was steered towards fallen tree branches in order to dissipate forward speed however the right wing struck a tree trunk about 600mm from the tip. The aircraft spun around 180° and the rudder impacted with another tree. OUTCOME: The pilot persisted with an unsuccessful approach beyond a point where a missed approach was possible resulting in impacting vegetation during the ground rollout resulting in substantial aircraft damage. Comment from Operations: Pilot's should always have a pre-determined decision point in the final approach and apply conservative margins for early missed approach procedures, particularly where short field or one way operations are being conducted.
31/10/2016	OCC0798	Ingham	QLD	Howard Hughes Engineering	Light Wing Gr-912 Heliview	Rotax	912	On the third circuit the pilot had to take evasive action due to an animal on the RWY. This resulted...
On the third circuit the pilot had to take evasive action due to an animal on the RWY. This resulted in the aircraft ground looping in long grass damaging the propeller. OUTCOME: This is the first report of this instance regarding an animal or bird strike in this area. Long grass makes it difficult for pilots to visually identify animals near the runway and as such it is suggested that aerodrome users inform their local aerodrome manager when long grass has not been mowed to ensure their is little likelihood of an animal strike recurring.