Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
28/12/2016	OCC0870	Aldinga Airfield	SA	Evektor	Sportstar	Rotax	912ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Failure of the outlet valve in the fuel pump caused a...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Failure of the outlet valve in the fuel pump caused a loss of power on take-off. Take-off aborted and aircraft landed on remaining runway. Part of the valve is pressed into the body of the pump. The part pressed into the body came out after - the outlet valve remained open which caused a drop in the fuel pressure. Note: the standby electric pump was 'On' however also lost pressure through this failed valve. OUTCOME: This aircraft is an LSA and as such this defect was reported to the manufacturer. Technical Manager reviewed the aircraft logbooks which was provided by the maintainer. The aircraft logbook showed that it has high hours and appears the fuel pump has failed due to fair wear and tear.
23/12/2016	OCC0864	Caboolture	QLD	Foxbat	A22LS	Rotax	912 ULS	While on base leg (instructor conducting circuits with a student) the pilot suggested bringing on po...
While on base leg (instructor conducting circuits with a student) the pilot suggested bringing on power to check the aircraft's rate of descent as they were about to turn final and did not want to drop below 500 ft (the aircraft altitude was approximately 600 ft). As the power was increased, the engine shook violently and stopped almost immediately. Upon finding a safe place to set it down, the pilot turned on both fuel taps and managed to restart the engine. The pilot returned to the airfield with no further incidents. OUTCOME: Technical Manager reviewed of the report and noted that the possible cause may have been either the fuel taps being turned off or also a possible issue with the fuel return line. This aircraft has recently had issues highlighted regarding the fuel return line which has been addressed by manufacturer. The manufacturer has proved service kits to owners in order to address any issues regarding fuel return line.
23/12/2016	OCC0940	The Oaks	NSW	Jabiru	J230 D	Jabiru		The engine started to run rough approximately 12NM from the airfield. The pilot returned to the airf...
The engine started to run rough approximately 12NM from the airfield. The pilot returned to the airfield, when on late finals the engine cut out. The aircraft landed successfully with no damage or injury. OUTCOME: RAAus Technical Manager spoke with the pilot/ owner who stated that the engine issues appeared to be due to the exhaust value breaking which caused a catastrophic internal failure of the engine. The pilot/ owner has been working closely with the manufacturer who have provided a brand new engine with roller rockers and a redesigned cam profile which will remove some of the cam pressure on the value train.
23/12/2016	OCC0874	Lethbridge Airport	VIC	Jabiru	SP500	Jabiru	2200	The aircraft was taxied along the grass taxiway running parallel to RWY10, upon reaching a position ...
The aircraft was taxied along the grass taxiway running parallel to RWY10, upon reaching a position adjacent to the "Piano Keys" the aircraft was turned at 90 degrees to the runway direction to enter the runway just short of the threshold gable markers. Unseen by the pilot was an unmarked drain/culvert which also ran parallel to the runway and was hidden from sight by the grass. As the aircraft began to cross the drain, the propeller tips encountered the earth on the far side if the depression delaminating them for a length of approximately 70mm. The aircraft was withdrawn from service until a replacement propeller was fitted and the Jabiru post prop strike procedure was completed. OUTCOME: While taxiing, the pilot was not aware of a depression in the ground in the grass, resulting in a propeller strike. All required actions after propeller strike now conducted.
22/12/2016	OCC0862	Moorabbin Airport	VIC	Aeroprakt	AP22LS Foxbat	Rotax	912 ULS	The pilot misunderstood instructions from ATC resulting in incorrectly joining the circuit. The pilo...
The pilot misunderstood instructions from ATC resulting in incorrectly joining the circuit. The pilot received further instructions from the controllers and then clearance to land. OUTCOME: RAAus Operations reviewed the report and found that the error in CTA procedures was due to expectation bias. The day prior to the pilot had been operating on a different runway due to the normal runway being unavailable, which meant that they were conducting unusual operations for the aerodrome. The pilot believed that the confusion was due to the combination of the operations that were being conducted the previous day and a misunderstanding of the controllers instructions as factors that contributed to this incident. NFA required.
17/12/2016	OCC0888	Port Macquarie	NSW	Aeroprakt	A22LS FOXBAT	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: There have been cracks found in the radius of the ben...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: There have been cracks found in the radius of the bend on both sides of the doubler bracket at rear wing attach point on the through spar. There are also cracks coming from some of the rivet holes. OUTCOME: As this aircraft is a LSA this defect was referred to the manufacturer. The factory has supplied new brackets for replacement in the aircraft and are reviewing images of the brackets in question. The factory are reviewing the part to identify weather it is considered to be a design issue or operational (due to a heavy landing however will issue a revision or update if required.
16/12/2016	OCC0921	Sunshine Coast Airport	QLD	The Aeroplane Factory	Sling 2	Rotax	912 ULS	After landing on RWY 36, instead of rolling through to the next taxiway (Alpha), the pilot requested...
After landing on RWY 36, instead of rolling through to the next taxiway (Alpha), the pilot requested backtrack on RWY 18 and commenced a backtrack turn without waiting for clearance. ATC then advised that clearance was required prior to backtracking, and then provided a clearance to the pilot. OUTCOME: Pilot was in the middle of requesting clearance from Surface Movement Control (SMC) when he initiated back track. Pilot has discussed the occurrence with the CFI and remedial action has been taken to address CTR and clearance requirements.
16/12/2016	OCC0863	Sunshine Coast	QLD	The Airplane Factory	Sling 2	Rotax	912 ULS	A student pilot was on a solo flight in circuit area and was in the flare when the aircraft was stru...
A student pilot was on a solo flight in circuit area and was in the flare when the aircraft was struck with a gust of crosswind. The student managed to keep the aircraft pointed in the right direction, but allowed the wind to drift the aircraft off the runway, resulting in the student landing on the grass next to the runway. The student then took off again, completing a circuit with a full stop landing. OUTCOME: RAAus Operations have reviewed this report. Minor runway loss of control which was recovered by the pilot.
15/12/2016	OCC0854	Moorabbin Airport	VIC	Bristell	FG	Rotax	912 ULS	Briefing a student on HARRT check (Height, ATIS, Runway, Radio, Transponder) inbound to (prior to ar...
Briefing a student on HARRT check (Height, ATIS, Runway, Radio, Transponder) inbound to (prior to arriving at) Carrum (CARR). Both instructor and student briefed that it was RWY 13R in use. Upon arriving at CARR radio congestion from outbound traffic led to student delivering inbound radio call just past CARR. While listening and looking out for any inbound and outbound traffic on radio, the instructor told the student to track towards Mordialloc pier and descend to circuit height of 1000ft. This tracking led the instructor to believe that the aircraft would then join the circuit for 17R and as such then instructed the student to turn right and join onto downwind (and make a joining downwind radio call at this position). They proceeded to follow this circuit pattern. While on downwind the instructor began briefing student on before landing checks as they previously could not complete them due to looking and listening out for traffic. Turned onto base RWY 17R and heard tower tell traffic behind to “follow Bristell turning onto final”. The instructor was confused by the tower instructions as they had only just turned onto base and thought that they had overestimated their speed and position in the circuit pattern. At this point the instructor identified the Foxbat traffic on an opposing circuit and was about to confirm if it had now joined their circuit ahead of them to land. Before this could be done the tower contacted the instructor and student saying that they had gone past final for RWY 13R and had maybe aligned for RWY 17R. The tower instructed to make the corrections and a safety alert was issued. Immediately the instructor took over and made corrections back to final for RWY 13R. There were no further problems and the instructor called tower after landing. OUTCOME: CFI debriefed instructor and matter was raised and resolved at Moorabbin Safety meeting. No further action required.
15/12/2016	OCC0850	Bundaberg Airport	QLD	Jabiru	J120	Jabiru	2200	The aircraft landing was uneventful, however the right hand tyre deflated during the rollout. The ai...
The aircraft landing was uneventful, however the right hand tyre deflated during the rollout. The aircraft was pushed clear of the main RWY. The tyre and tube were replaced and the aircraft taxied back to the hanger. OUTCOME: On inspection of the tyre a 8 mm long piece of wire was found and removed (which caused the tyre to deflate). The tyre and tube have been replaced and aircraft operatable.
14/12/2016	OCC0859	Griffith Airport	NSW	Unknown	Unknown			Whilst on downwind for RWY24 at Griffith airport a student and instructor observed a powered parachu...
Whilst on downwind for RWY24 at Griffith airport a student and instructor observed a powered parachute operating approximately 1 NM Sth of the airport at approximately 1300 ft AMSL. They attempted to make radio contact with the aircraft several times with no reply. An air tractor landing also observed the aircraft. The student and instructor adjusted their circuit to avoid the aircraft. OUTCOME: RAAus Operations Manager followed up with possible pilots who fly in the vicinity of the airfield with no success of identifying the pilot in command at the time of the incident. Operations suspect that the PPC pilot may have been itinerant, as such no further follow up is able to be conducted due to being unable to identify the pilot in command at the time of the incident.
12/12/2016	OCC0848	Latrobe Regional Airport	VIC	Tecnam	P92 Eaglet	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Whilst carrying out the daily inspection on the aerop...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Whilst carrying out the daily inspection on the aeroplane the electric trim was found to be unserviceable. On inspection of the servo it was found to be full of water and the gears seized. OUTCOME: Technical Manager has spoken with the agent and LAME/L2. The aircraft had been located outside and water had entered the gearbox. All gears have been removed and cleaned, re-greased and installed. The unit has been ground tested with no further defects evident. If unit was to fail in flight it is able to be manually overridden without any excessive control input. In discussion with the agent the trimming is found to be sluggish on inspection and it has been advised that the application of a lubricant such as CRC/WD-40 is able to rectify the issue. At this stage no other further actions are required. The servo was repaired and the aeroplane returned to service.
11/12/2016	OCC0852	Bankstown Airport	NSW	Aeroprakt	AP22	Rotax	912 ULS	During a training lesson (circuits) it was noticed that the brake pressure was very low (low resista...
During a training lesson (circuits) it was noticed that the brake pressure was very low (low resistance). The pilot let ATC know and conducted a go-around to assess the brakes on downwind. The pilot then informed ATC of the situation with the break pressure and requested RWY 11L and an unrestricted taxi back to parking. The aircraft came to a stop fairly quickly and then the pilot vacated the aircraft from the runway and taxied back to parking. OUTCOME: Technical Manager liaised with the Instructor and CFI regarding the incident. Aircraft has been inspected and it has been identified that the master cylinder had failed. The likely cause of the failure is attributed to normal wear and tear due to the high hour use of the aircraft (used in a flight school environment up to 4-5 hours per day). The aircraft also experiences extended periods of taxing and breaking due to the location of the school at a busy airfield. Technical Manager has also liaised and informed the the Australian agent about the incident.
8/12/2016	OCC0858	Serpentine Airfield	WA	Flysynthesis	Texan 550 - LSA	Rotax	912 ULS	The aircraft was pre-flighted for a flight test after maintenance and taxied to the end of RWY05. Al...
The aircraft was pre-flighted for a flight test after maintenance and taxied to the end of RWY05. All pre-flight checks proved nothing wrong. A take-off was initiated on the grass RWY09. At approx. 50ft altitude there was an immediate loss of power, insufficient to maintain height. A turn was instigated towards 230 RWY but at constant descent marginally above stall speed the aircraft came to rest in a dense Tee Tree thicket. DETERMINED OUTCOME: Maintainers can significantly reduce risks of engine failure by following standard maintenance procedures published by manufacturers and using manufacturer supplied parts. Rotax engines are particularly susceptible to carburettor imbalance and fuel pressure issues and maintainers are urged to make use of Rotax provided Service Bulletin service for any nominated serial number and engine type. Education of correct maintenance procedures, referencing SBs and ADs and correct logbook entries remains a focus for the RAAus Technical team.
6/12/2016	OCC0845	Bendigo Airport	VIC	Tecnam	Eaglet	Rotax	912 ULS	Whilst turning on the ground the aircraft's LH wing tip clipped the hangar and swung the propeller i...
Whilst turning on the ground the aircraft's LH wing tip clipped the hangar and swung the propeller into the hangar. OUTCOME: Student pilot (on third session of solo operations under supervision) became agitated and overloaded after exiting the runway. They lost situational awareness during taxiing to the school operations hangar area which resulted in the aircraft impacting a wingtip, and subsequently yawing, into hangar with the nose causing extensive damage to aircraft and hangar. The identified contributing factors relating to the incident were a breakdown in audible communications, failure to taxi appropriately (with reference to defined centrelines) and student pilot overload. Comments from Operations: An effective and clearly agreed plan for supervised solo flights must be understood and adhered to between student and instructor in all supervised solo operations. Taxiing risks and vigilance in operations should remain as the highest priority in all aircraft ground operations. This can be enhanced by stopping once clear of any runways and re-configuring any aircraft systems and clearly determining the appropriate taxi path before moving to the required shut down area.