Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
12/2/2017	OCC0915	Ball Bay	QLD	BRM Aero	Bristell UL FG	Rotax	912 ULS2	The aircraft had been flying for approx. 30 minutes at 5,000 RPM and 2,000ft when there was a slight...
The aircraft had been flying for approx. 30 minutes at 5,000 RPM and 2,000ft when there was a slight shudder and the revs dropped to 3,800 RPM. The fuel pressure was 4 PSI and all instruments checked okay. The pilot pulled on the carby heat and turned the electric pump on - fuel pressure was at 5 PSI. Revs dropped slightly and as the pilot was close to Ball Bay airstrip carried out a precautionary landing with no incident. On the ground and engine would not rev above 3,800 RPM. Determined Outcome: This incident has not been able to be replicated on the ground. The carburettor and ignition were replaced with no reoccurrence. The conditions on the day of the incident were; temperature 32 degrees with 60% humidity and may have been a contributing factor. The RAAus Technical Manager has made the LSA importer aware of this issue so that they can monitor any future occurrences. No further action by RAAUs can be taken at this point in time.
12/2/2017	OCC0914	Atherton Airport	QLD	JABIRU	J230	Jabiru	3300	After completing pre-flight checks the pilot taxied to the runway threshold and lined up for take-of...
After completing pre-flight checks the pilot taxied to the runway threshold and lined up for take-off. After giving a rolling call, full power was applied and initial speed pick up was good but as the aircraft went up the hill it didn't pick up in the long wet grass. On the flat it slowly picked up speed in the long wet grass however the pilot felt there was not enough runway left so, closed the throttle and applied the brakes. The brakes locked and skidded so the pilot released them and reapplied several times, not as hard, then started to make a right turn but was still too fast. The pilot was concerned that the left wing would contact the ground so decreased the turn. Then the aircraft slid into a fence hitting a post which caused a prop strike, then bounced back and the tail made contact with a post at the back. OUTCOME: Pilots are reminded to consider appropriate Take off rejection points as part of their Pre Take-off safety brief with particular consideration to variations in slope of runway and surface conditions.
12/2/2017	OCC0920	Walgett	NSW	Cessna	162	Continental	0-200-D	Birdstrike: The pilot observed a number of birds around the runway however they flew away while the ...
Birdstrike: The pilot observed a number of birds around the runway however they flew away while the aircraft was taxied and touch and goes were conducted. When conducing the final landing, a few birds did not fly away and hit the aircraft wing. OUTCOME: RAAus have checked the ERSA for Walgett to confirm information is available about bird hazards. The ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section states: 1. After rain deep water puddles. ACFT 5,700KG & ABV confine TAX to RWY centre & turn only on RWY end turning nodes, 05/23. 2. Animal & bird hazard exists. RAAus will continue to monitor for any additional reporting of additional bird strikes.
11/2/2017	OCC0916	Quirindi Airport	NSW	Aeroprakt	A22LS Foxbat	Rotax	912 U L S	The aircraft suffered a heavy landing causing nose wheel leg to be bent. Determined Outcome: Due ...
The aircraft suffered a heavy landing causing nose wheel leg to be bent. Determined Outcome: Due to the approach speed not being managed appropriately, the aircraft suffered a hard landing and damaged the nose gear. PIC noted HF and inappropriate approach speed and steep angle. Pilots are reminded of the importance of a stabilised approach at the manufacturer's recommended speed according to the POH.
10/2/2017	OCC0985	Maroochydoore	QLD	AeroPrakt	A32	Rotax	912 ULS	The light aircraft did not receive calls from ATC therefore failed to respond. This resulted in an R...
The light aircraft did not receive calls from ATC therefore failed to respond. This resulted in an RPT having to cancel an already cleared RNAV-36 (RNP) approach. The RPT subsequently joined a Visual Right CCT. Communications were re-established between ATC and the light aircraft. OUTCOME: Temporary loss of 2 -way communications between tower and aircraft. No cause was able to be identified.
5/2/2017	OCC0913	Moorabbin Airport	VIC	Aeroprakt	A22LS Foxbat	Rotax	912ULS	On final landing of a circuits session in gusty conditions, the student straightened the nose but di...
On final landing of a circuits session in gusty conditions, the student straightened the nose but didn't flare quite enough causing plane to land reasonably gently but flat resulting in a small bounce of approximately 3ft height. The student steadied well initially but the nose then dropped quickly, partly due lack of control by the student and partly sudden lull in wind. When the nose dropped the nose wheel landed firmly first with audible thud. The Instructor went to take over at first sense of nose dropping but was not quick enough to go around before nose landed due to being about to land. OUTCOME: Instructor has had debrief with CFI and Operations on control management practices, student control limits and instructional policies that have been implemented and reviewed to prevent further re-occurrences of this nature.
4/2/2017	OCC0910	Jacobs Well	QLD	Bearhawk	Patrol	Lycoming	O-320	Whilst landing on an airstrip surrounded by cane fields, a vehicle emerged at the start of the runwa...
Whilst landing on an airstrip surrounded by cane fields, a vehicle emerged at the start of the runway. The pilot was able to manoeuvre the aircraft to avoid a collision. OUTCOME: The airfield has two clubs operating, and one club can access the airfield and hangars via a boom gate, the other club is prevented from this and must access the airfield and hangars via an access road, which cuts across the overrun area of the runway. This has highlighted more of a hazard at this location in which some pilots are required to access the airfield and hangars via aerodrome access road, placing them in potential conflict with aircraft on final. The aircraft can see the car, but due to the surrounding crop of cane, the car cannot see the aircraft. RAAus Operations Manager reviewed the report and spoke with the member operating the vehicle who was prevented from seeing any aircraft on approach due to the cane crop in the vicinity. This information is also highlighted on the Clubs website page as an advisory for those driving into the airfield: http://www.gcsfc.org.au/driving-to-jcw.html RAAus recommends that in a situation such as this the pilot should conduct a go-around as he would have had visibility of the car from the air.
2/2/2017	OCC0924	Private Property	QLD	Thruster Aircraft	Thruster T300	Rotax	582 DCDI	A new propellor was fitted to the aircraft using parts and specifications provided by the manufactur...
A new propellor was fitted to the aircraft using parts and specifications provided by the manufacturer, however there was one washer per bolt around the outer hub bolts which secure the pitch blocks and blade route when there were three washers used on original hub. The hub bolts were tensioned to manufacturer specifications. After 50mins of flight the aircraft developed a vibration. Upon inspection after landing it was found that the hub had a crack at one of the outer hub bolts. OUTCOME: The pilot/ owner identified that the manufacturer did not supply relevant assembly instructions in relation to the aircraft when the parts were supplied. Additionally there was an incorrect number of washers supplied for the installation. The pilot/ owner referenced two sources of assembly instructions, however there was some difference in the information. The RAAus Technical Manager has addressed this with the manufacturer who has now supplied the correct current assembly instructions, including the correct number of washers to be used with the replacement parts.
1/2/2017	OCC0906	Colosseum Inlet	QLD	Super Petrel	100	Rotax	912 U L S	During flight, the PAX side perspex window blew out. This damaged the propeller, however did not cau...
During flight, the PAX side perspex window blew out. This damaged the propeller, however did not cause the carbon fibre propeller to disintegrate and did not cause severe vibration. The aircraft returned to the airfield and landed with no issue. OUTCOME: Technical Manager reviewed this report which is for an amateur built aircraft. After inspection of the aircraft it was determined that there was deterioration of the glue holding in the Perspex window which led to the window blowing out. Owner/ operator is addressing the issue by using: - epoxy glue to glue in the window (the same way as the manufacturer does). - the new system used on the LSA Super Petrels (Sicaflex 221 with a layer of fibre glass cloth around the edge).
1/2/2017	OCC0905	Whitegum	WA	Micro aviation	Bathawk	Camit	3300SLRE	During flight training the student rounded out too high and the instructor took over too late to pre...
During flight training the student rounded out too high and the instructor took over too late to prevent the aircraft landing firmly. OUTCOME: During landing, the student rounded out too high and the Instructor did not react quickly enough to prevent a hard landing.
31/1/2017	OCC0911	Caboolture	QLD	Aeroprakt	A32 Vixxen	Rotax	912 ULS	On short finals the pilot noticed the front of the door flex open some 2cm during heavy turbulence a...
On short finals the pilot noticed the front of the door flex open some 2cm during heavy turbulence at 50-55kts. The pilot has no doubt that had they been traveling faster that the door would have opened, that speed was the limiting factor. The pilot had only one stage of flap down at the time. OUTCOME: Technical Manager reviewed report and has liaised with the LSA importer. The factory have issued a service bulletin and have also re-designed the locking latch. See the following documents on the RAAus Member Portal for access to the service bulletins below: Aeroprakt SB A32-02 - Modification of all-moving horizontal tail (AMHT) of A32 and A32L Aircraft see https://members.raa.asn.au/storage/sb-a32-02-modification-of-amht.pdf Aeroprakt Safety Alert A32-01 - Temporary limitation of VNE for A32 and A32L Aircraft see https://members.raa.asn.au/storage/sa-a32-01-temporary-limitation-of-vne.pdf
30/1/2017	OCC0931	Sunshine Coast Airport	QLD	The Airplane Factory	Sling 2	Rotax	912ULS	On return from a dual training flight it was noticed that the left wing fuel filler cap was missing....
On return from a dual training flight it was noticed that the left wing fuel filler cap was missing. Fuel was added prior to the flight and during the pre-flight inspection the fuel cap was noted to be in place. Because of a possible FOD risk, the matter was reported to Sunshine Coast Airport Operations who conducted a search of RWY 12 and found the fuel cap on the runway approximately 200 m from the RWY12 threshold. On close inspection of the fuel cap it was found that the key locking mechanisms was working but had become worn, allowing the key to be removed while in the unlocked position. The fuel cap is a key locking type and when operating correctly the key cannot be removed from the cap in the unlocked position. OUTCOME: The National Technical Manager has reviewed all data and is satisfied all areas of concern have been addressed. A notification to the Australian Sling agent was also made. Members with this type of aircraft should inspect their fuel cap and the locking mechanism to ensure it is not worn.
30/1/2017	OCC0903	Archerfield Airport	QLD	The Aircraft Factory	Sling LSA	Rotax	912IS	During circuits, the pilot was distracted by sun glare on short final. The aircraft bounced and enco...
During circuits, the pilot was distracted by sun glare on short final. The aircraft bounced and encountered pilot induced oscillation landing nose wheel first damaging the engine frame. The pilot went around and conducted a full stop landing. OUTCOME: The pilot lost control during landing/flare due to being visually affected by the sunlight glare. The school CFI has conducted further remedial training with the pilot on decision making (regarding missed approaches) prior to further command flight. Environmental, operational and decision making are all identified contributing factors in this accident.
29/1/2017	OCC0898	Moorabbin Airport	VIC	Aeroprakt	AP22LS Foxbat	Rotax	912ULS	During a trial instructional flight the aircraft entered Controlled Airspace without a clearance. O...
During a trial instructional flight the aircraft entered Controlled Airspace without a clearance. OUTCOME: The Instructor was distracted during delivery of a lesson and violated Moorabbin airspace. The CFI has required further retraining and a flight review prior to conducting further instruction to prevent a recurrence.
28/1/2017	OCC0904	Bendigo Airport	VIC	Tecnam	P92 Super Echo	Rotax	912	An aircraft experienced partial loss of engine power. Inbound traffic established on a straight in a...
An aircraft experienced partial loss of engine power. Inbound traffic established on a straight in approach vacated the circuit. The pilot called a glide approach from base and landed without further incident. OUTCOME: The National Technical Manager has reviewed all data and spoken to the delegated LAME and is satisfied all areas of concern have been addressed regarding the maintenance of the aircraft.