Date |
Occurrence # |
Location |
State |
Aircraft |
Model |
Engine |
Model |
Summary |
21/5/2016 |
OCC0658 |
Harrietville |
VIC |
Savannah |
Classic |
Rotax |
912ULS |
Plane was conducting a visual observation of alpine high country and after passing West of Mt Feathe...
|
Plane was conducting a visual observation of alpine high country and after passing West of Mt Feathertop the engine spluttered without warning. Pilot immediately checked instruments and fuel taps and attempted an engine restart. The engine started and gained minor revs before again spluttering and stopping - not able to be restarted again. The pilot adopted glide speed of 55 kt and broadcast 'MAYDAY' call to Melbourne Centre on frequency 122.8. The pilot briefed passenger on situation and intent to attempted forced landing. Pilot identified suitable cleared grassed paddock and scanned for obvious hazards. Pilot made controlled descent toward paddock and ensured plane passed over road, power lines and fences. Plane was approaching ground at speed however there were thick and tall forest trees at the far end of paddock which were approaching rapidly. Pilot decided that a hard landing would offer better likelihood of less serious injury to pilot and passenger so touched down. Ground was slightly uneven and with speed the nose wheel sheared off, stopped propeller and lower engine cowl scraped grass surface and rapidly halted plane's forward motion. Pilot confirmed passenger was not injured. Pilot switched all electrical and fuel valves off and both persons exited the plane to safe distance.
OUTCOME: Preliminary investigation of the aircraft suggests that a partial or full blockage of the fuel tank filler cap venting tubes may have contributed to fuel starvation at the engine and this is based on some evidence of insects inside the tube ends. Pilot/ owner will install some sort of mesh on the breather caps to prevent this type of occurrence happening again. |
17/5/2016 |
OCC0649 |
Forbes |
NSW |
Winton |
Cricket |
Robin |
EC44L2PM-1100 |
This very basic, vintage era, ultralight aeroplane had been mothballed for twenty five years. After ...
|
This very basic, vintage era, ultralight aeroplane had been mothballed for twenty five years. After purchase it was returned to an airworthy condition and flown on a couple of short shake-down circuit flights followed by minor maintenance rectifications. Anecdotally the fuel endurance was said to be an hour safe. It was then decided to check on fuel burn, endurance, etc in a controlled situation. The aeroplane was flown a short distance and positioned to fly over a suitable cleared open paddock to establish fuel burn data. At fifty five minutes on return to land the engine surged several times and ceased to produce enough power to maintain level flight. An uneventful landing was conducted on the cleared paddock. The aeroplane suffered no damage and the pilot no injuries. After inspection and addition of further fuel the engine ran without defect.
OUTCOME: Technical Manager has spoken with the pilot/ owner about this aircraft. The appropriate testing was being conducted to validate previous data which was found to be incorrect. Pilot/ owner will continue to conduct testing to obtain correct fuel endurance for the aircraft. |
16/5/2016 |
OCC0659 |
Temora |
NSW |
Jabiru |
J230D |
Jabiru |
3300A |
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Maintainer was to remove the cylinder head for valve ...
|
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Maintainer was to remove the cylinder head for valve sealing rectification. Upon removal, the rocker bushes and shaft were found to show excessive wear. After cleaning the exhaust valve, there was also found to be corrosion/erosion on the lower stem.
OUTCOME: Technical addressed this defect with the factory who will amend the service and maintenance manual to address concerns and observations raised. |
13/5/2016 |
OCC0712 |
Brisbane |
QLD |
Tecnam |
P92 Eaglet |
Rotax |
912 ULS |
Airspace infringement: YBBN, 343°, 15Nm Brisbane TCU Unidentified aircraft observed to penetrate the...
|
Airspace infringement: YBBN, 343°, 15Nm Brisbane TCU Unidentified aircraft observed to penetrate the A040 step at 343/15 NM. Multiple calls were made with no response. Aircraft was observed to turn northerly and descend clear of CTA.
OUTCOME: Investigator requested all flight records and bookings and confirmed with CFI that the aircraft was not active at the alleged time and indicated on prior occasions that this aircraft had been incorrectly identified by other pilots in relation to position reports. No further action required. |
12/5/2016 |
OCC0653 |
Tarwin Lower |
VIC |
Skyfox Aviation |
Skyfox Ca22 |
Rotax |
912 |
Aircraft encountered stong wind gusts during take-off resulting in collision with terrain.
OUTCOME:...
|
Aircraft encountered stong wind gusts during take-off resulting in collision with terrain.
OUTCOME: The pilot had not correctly identified the effects of both topographic and mechanical hazards at this private landing area and had not obtained any aeronautical wind forecast for the first flight to this location. Ground based local weather assessments prior to take-off failed to show the true conditions that were prevalent at the time of take-off. Operations close to significant mechanical towers, particularly rotating wind turbines are high risk and should be avoided. |
10/5/2016 |
OCC0821 |
Mouroubra Station |
WA |
Skyfox |
Gazelle |
Rotax |
912 A2 |
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Reporter noticed that dirt was getting past the air f...
|
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Reporter noticed that dirt was getting past the air filter and found grit in the air box. The maintainer replaced the foam air filter and surrounding seal, then replaced hoses from the carburettor to the air box. The hoses (where they were bent) had holes and could be seen only when straightened out however the maintainer didn’t think this was where grit was entering as they would have been sealed off when bent. The maintainer removed the air box and could see the air flap that could be opened for carburettor heat. The maintainer noticed that this flap was held closed by a spring connected to the air flap shaft. It was also noticed that when flap was closed it could still be moved away from its seat. The maintainer tighten the bolt that passes through the shaft and flap and this seemed to take out any movement so the flap would remain against its seat and stop dirt entering.
OUTCOME: Technical Manager has received the report and notes that air box issues and wear are common in older style aircraft. Since the aircraft is a type certified model an application under the MARAP process would be required to make any modifications. |
9/5/2016 |
OCC0895 |
Broken Hill Airport |
NSW |
Aeropilot |
Legend 600 |
Rotax |
912 ULS |
The aircraft suffered a heavy landing resulting in slight damage to left main landing gear leg.
OUT...
|
The aircraft suffered a heavy landing resulting in slight damage to left main landing gear leg.
OUTCOME: Gusty crosswinds were present during the landing and the pilot did not successfully manage the aircraft, landing heavily and damaging the undercarriage. The damage was not discovered for several flights and members are reminded of the importance of conducting heavy landing checks immediately after a heavy landing is conducted. |
7/5/2016 |
OCC0703 |
Mareeba Aerodrome |
QLD |
Jabiru |
J160 |
Jabiru |
2200A |
With a 10-12 kt headwind on final, at about 6-8 ft off the ground, the aircraft suddenly dropped. Th...
|
With a 10-12 kt headwind on final, at about 6-8 ft off the ground, the aircraft suddenly dropped. The pilot flared quickly to a nose up attitude and the aircraft bounced off the main undercarriage. The stall warning sounded and the plane fell suddenly to the RWY damaging the main left and nose wheel, and the propeller struck the RWY.
OUTCOME: Runway Loss of Control (R-LOC) due to pilot unable to recognise potential wind gradient. Pilots reactions were unable to adjust to the environmental conditions and the aircraft commenced a Pilot Induced oscillation after a mismanaged bounce recovery. Member has been recommended for further training. |
7/5/2016 |
OCC0643 |
Yarram |
VIC |
Zlin |
Savage Cub |
Rotax |
912 ULS |
During landing rollout in a 10 kt cross wind the pilot lost directional control and the aircraft vee...
|
During landing rollout in a 10 kt cross wind the pilot lost directional control and the aircraft veered to the left. The pilot was unable to correct the swing before colliding with a fence.
OUTCOME: Experienced pilot was ferrying the aircraft on this flight leg and despite currency, and recency on tail wheel aircraft, they had only conducted four landings on this specific aircraft type. Significant contributing factors identified by the pilot were minimum time on specific type and a degree of complacency.
Runway-Loss of control (R-LOC) events continue to be significantly over represented with RAAus accidents. Light, short moment tail wheel configuration aircraft require constant attention and high skill levels at all times during take off and landing and can catch out even very experienced pilots. Pilots are reminded to ensure that currency and skills are maintained in specific aircraft to reduce the risk of loss of control events particularly in tail wheel aircraft. |
6/5/2016 |
OCC0666 |
Murray Bridge |
SA |
Flight Design |
CTSW |
Rotax |
912 |
Pilot parked the aircraft in a designated parking bay and returned after a short period to taxi back...
|
Pilot parked the aircraft in a designated parking bay and returned after a short period to taxi back to the hanger. The pilot did not see a cone just off to their right and angled the plane to rejoin the taxiway - and ran over the cone. It was at very slow speed however destroyed the propeller. No other damage to the aircraft and the cone was scratched but not destroyed.
OUTCOME: Pilot failed to apply appropriate situational awareness in taxi phase of flight and as a result experienced a propeller strike with a nearby taxi marker. Further investigation revealed that the pilot had operated the aircraft outside of the RAAus BFR requirements. Further the pilot was incorrectly advised by the aircraft maintainer of the inspection requirements that are required following a propeller strike for this aircraft as outlined in Rotax service letter SL-912-015. Pilot advised that certificate privileges were suspended pending an appropriate BFR and aircraft serviceability determined in accordance with rotax requirements. |
6/5/2016 |
OCC0680 |
Seabird |
WA |
Jabiru |
J250 |
Jabiru |
3300 |
Aircraft operating under VFR entered IMC due to the weather deteriorated from the NAIPS forecast.
O...
|
Aircraft operating under VFR entered IMC due to the weather deteriorated from the NAIPS forecast.
OUTCOME: Pilot failed to maintain VMC flight due to stress of weather and continued to operate below VMC and required height minima's in order to reach his planned destination. Experienced pilots are reminded that HF considerations are paramount for successful flight outcomes and should not be compromised by years of experience or having "got away with it" in the past. Normalization of these behaviours unfortunately has led to tragedy in many recorded aviation accidents particularly in relation to continuing flights into marginal VMC. |
4/5/2016 |
OCC1046 |
Bendigo |
VIC |
Tecnam |
P92 Super Echo |
Rotax |
912 ULS |
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Door Key will slide in to ignition lock, will operate...
|
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Door Key will slide in to ignition lock, will operate ignition and allow engine to start. On engine run up an excessive mag drop is found for a Rotax engine (about 150 rpm). A pilot accustomed to Lycoming engine drop will not find it excessive.
OUTCOME: The worn key barrel has now been replaced. Technical Manager has reviewed the report and no further action required. |
4/5/2016 |
OCC0637 |
Condobolin |
NSW |
Bristell LSA |
NG5 |
Rotax 912 |
ULS2 |
Pilot (with passenger) conducted five 5 touch and goes and were on final for the sixth and final lan...
|
Pilot (with passenger) conducted five 5 touch and goes and were on final for the sixth and final landing for the day. The wind sock was facing South for the first five landings and swung around to the East just before final. A gust of wind hit the plane and drove it into a clump of small trees. The pilot and passenger no time to do anything before the plane came in contact with the soft top branches causing the plane to flip upside down and crash to the ground. Both pilot and passenger managed to escape from the plane before a fire completely burnt the plane. Aircraft is destroyed with minor injuries to both personnel on board.
OUTCOME: Pilot lost control of the aircraft when the starboard wing grazed branches of a tree on final approach near the landing area threshold of a private landing Area.(R-LOC). Contributing factors included high wing primacy of this experienced Cessna 182 pilot with the low wing aircraft configuration and the lack of understanding of reduced inertia of light sport aircraft at low airspeed. Subsequent actions undertaken include substantial removal of trees on this approach by the owner and Operations request for pilot to undertake specialist revision training in unimproved landing area operations with local CFI as part of new aircraft handover process in the coming months. These actions have been agreed too and will be coordinated by the delivering dealer in the coming months. |
4/5/2016 |
OCC0641 |
Wardell |
NSW |
Paradise |
P1 |
Rotax |
912 U L S |
Pilot was operating out of "Saltwater" ALA in the designated Ballina Southern Training Area (R638 is...
|
Pilot was operating out of "Saltwater" ALA in the designated Ballina Southern Training Area (R638 is just 2 nm miles South of this ALA). On checking EVX notams NAIPS reported "No Current NOTAMs". The pilot's usual procedure was to check with Brisbane Centre on 120.3 to confirm status of the Evans Head Airspace if the intention was to penetrate R683. The pilot had a high workload in the cockpit due to a technical issue and was delayed in the normal turn on to North as well as the call to Brisbane Centre. Pilot was squawking Mode C and immediately contacted Bribane Centre when requested by an overflying RPT aircraft.
OUTCOME: Pilot and landing area operator has amended his flight planning process using appropriate AirServices information in NAIPs via the restricted area briefing tab to confirm status of this RA1 restricted area. This site is a training airfield and the CFI has incorporated the amended planning into all student flight briefings as well. Pilots should be aware that traditional inactive restricted areas are increasingly being activated for a range of extended military activities and historical inactivity cannot be assumed as operations may be H24 by NOTAM. |
26/4/2016 |
OCC0633 |
Northam Station |
QLD |
Tecnam g5 Eaglet |
P96 |
Rotax |
912 |
Aircraft experienced a wire strike on the propeller. The reporter believes that a piece of wire may ...
|
Aircraft experienced a wire strike on the propeller. The reporter believes that a piece of wire may have been dragged onto private strip and picked up by propeller causing propeller and spat damage.
OUTCOME: Pilot stated that it may have been possible that an animal dragged wire onto the runway or picked up in a hangar environment. It is recommended that an inspection of runways and hangars occurs on a regular basis as a sensible precaution to avoid FOD hazards to aircraft. |