Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
14/7/2016	OCC0704	Private strip, Emu Bore	WA	Savannah	VG	Rotax	912	During the flight all electrical gauges went to zero. The pilot elected to make a precautionary land...
During the flight all electrical gauges went to zero. The pilot elected to make a precautionary landing to check the problem. There was 70nm of rough country to cross before they reached the private strip. There were strong winds gusty winds from the NE. The pilot elected to land on a clay pan. There was no problem with the approach, touch down or holding the line, however the pilot underestimated the extra stopping distance due to the gusting cross wind and clipped a tree. OUTCOME: Aircraft electrical issues were investigated and the issue was identified as a faulty electrical plug that has since been rectified with no further problems.
10/7/2016	OCC0707	Indented Head	VIC	Jabiru	LSA	Jabiru	2200A	All run up and system check were OK and temperature and pressures all in the green. The engine devel...
All run up and system check were OK and temperature and pressures all in the green. The engine developed full power on take off with no apparent issues. The aircraft climbed to 1000 ft. and was at cruise power when about 3-5 minutes into the flight the engine suddenly lost all power. The pilot located a suitable paddock and positioned the aircraft for an emergency landing. The pilot briefed the passenger and asked them for assistance to identify power lines and fences. The landing was uneventful with no damage to aircraft or passenger. OUTCOME: Technical Manager spoke with maintainer who indicated that the engine was a factory rebuilt engine. The engine overheated on number 4 cylinder with the valve seat separating from the cylinder head, which then caused the valve brake. There were indications that the engine overheating may have been pilot induced with a high power high angle of attack climb out rate. Engine has been re-built and has been operating normally since incident.
2/7/2016	OCC0697	Palmyra	QLD	Tecnam	P92 Eaglet LSA	Rotax	912ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: The propeller bolts had been re-torqued in the in mor...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: The propeller bolts had been re-torqued in the in morning and completed a flight of 1h with no problems. Shortly after take-off felt a slight vibration in the aircraft that seemed to change with engine rpm. The pilot returned to Palmyra at reduced rpm. After landing, the pilot inspected the spinner and prop and found a small section of the fibreglass cover had lifted off the wood core, approx. 15mm back from the leading edge and near the tip. A small piece of the fibreglass was missing, accounting for the slight vibration. On probing the fibreglass cover, a large section measuring about 120mm from the tip towards the blade root and the full width of the blade was easily peeled off. Inspection of the bond shows no wood fibres attached to the fibreglass part, suggesting a poor bond between the wood core and the fibreglass sheeting. Prop removed and awaiting repair instructions. OUTCOME: Technical Manager received a response from the factory which refers owners/ operators to the service manual for the propeller. In this case the issue identified with the propeller was to contact the factory (which the owner did in the first case). The owner/ operator has since had a response back from the manufacturer who has had another approved propeller installed with no further issues. Tecnam now use and have approved Bolly propellers.
2/7/2016	OCC0696	10 - 08 nautical miles to the South South west of Bendigo Aerodrome	VIC	Jabiru	TBA			Numerous attempts were made to contact the pilot of an aircraft (who was also inbound from a similar...
Numerous attempts were made to contact the pilot of an aircraft (who was also inbound from a similar direction, at the same height, tracking towards Bendigo aerodrome). No response was heard from the aircraft. OUTCOME: No further action can be undertaken based on provided information as the registration number is not registered with RAAus. No further investigation possible. Members are advised to ensure they are compliant with CAAP 166-3 or CAR 166-3 regarding pilot responsibly whilst operating in non-controlled aerodrome/CTAF.
2/7/2016	OCC0694	Jacobs Well	QLD	Slipstream Engineering	Genesis	Verner	V133VM MK	After finishing a 1.5 hour uneventful flight the pilot landed and then returned to the runway entry ...
After finishing a 1.5 hour uneventful flight the pilot landed and then returned to the runway entry to do a circuit. On take off, at 150 ft, the pilot felt a strong engine vibration and experienced complete loss of power. The pilot attempted to land on the remainder of the runway however it was too short. The pilot performed an emergency landing on an extension cane land clearing (slightly longer area and to the left). On touch down the aircraft wing contacted the cane and swung the aircraft 180 degrees The aircraft stopped before entering a creek. OUTCOME: The engine temperatures showed normal for take-off and the pilot had taxied the length of the runway (700 meters) after the first landing. Maintainer/ owner suggests that a cylinder may have seized due to the cold morning and had not normalized until after the first landing. This is an experimental aircraft with only 90.2 hours on the engine since its last rebuild.
1/7/2016	OCC0695	Ballarat Airport	VIC	Esqual	VM-1c	Rotax	912	Structural modifications were carried out on the aircraft due to a manufacturing flaw (causing signi...
Structural modifications were carried out on the aircraft due to a manufacturing flaw (causing significant forward and aft movement of the wings when manipulated by hand). The maintainer arrived at Ballarat to inspect the aircraft and test fly it on behalf of the owner. A thorough pre-flight inspection was carried out, and static engine run ups and taxi tests were conducted over a period of 2 hours. All systems were working as normal and pilot/maintainer taxied to RWY23 to line up for a circuit. Full power was applied, the ground roll and lift off was normal. On downwind a strong smell of petrol was noticed, so the pilot opened the vent in the window and proceeded to turn base. When on base (with a lower nose attitude) the pilot noticed a significant amount of fuel building up at their feet, estimated to be about 10 L. The pilot immediately turned all electrical switches off and pointed the aircraft to the runway. When the pilot was satisfied they could glide in on RWY23 they shut the engine down, unlatched the canopy hatch, and made an uneventful landing. OUTCOME: Cause of the fuel leak were the fuel vents (this aircraft is a amateur built). The fuel vents on the original Esqual design were located inside the cabin. During the structural modifications, new fuel vent lines were routed to a position under the outboard section of each wing. The new fuel vents were made out of soft PVC tubing cut at a 45 degree angle. This was to give the tanks a slight positive pressure in flight. The fuel vents inside the cabin were never removed or plugged. When the aircraft gained sufficient airspeed after take off, the fuel tanks were pressurised from the airflow coming into the new vents. This in turn caused fuel to flow out of the original vents in the cabin. Fuel continued to flow through the old vents until the airspeed dropped to a level where the pressure was not great enough to continue the flow of fuel into the cabin.
29/6/2016	OCC0693	Caloundra	QLD	Tecnam	P92 Echo	Rotax	912ULS	On landing and taxing to an area where the instructor could safely get out of aircraft for the stude...
On landing and taxing to an area where the instructor could safely get out of aircraft for the student to continue solo, the instructor noticed fuel coming from the lower engine cowling. The student shut the aircraft down, the fuel was shut off and aircraft pushed away from fuel on tarmac. Upon investigation the aircraft fuel filter in the engine cowling area was found to be stripped of its internal thread and was leaking. OUTCOME: Technical manager reviewed report and on contact with aircraft operator found that the filter has been replaced and the fuel line has been re-positioned and secured by an appropriate L2. Nil defects evident since.
29/6/2016	OCC0883	Orange	NSW	Aeropakt	AP22 Foxbat	Rotax	912 ULS	A student was on a solo flight within the circuit. The instructor was maintaining a listening watch ...
A student was on a solo flight within the circuit. The instructor was maintaining a listening watch on the radio and had not heard any calls from inbound aircraft nor an aircraft on approach. As such the circuit check had continued on without any knowledge of the second aircraft having to manoeuvre to avoid separation. OUTCOME: According to the ATSB report there was radio congestion, as such a call from the inbound aircraft may have been missed during a period of high radio congestion whilst the instructor was supervising the student on their solo check. It is recommended that pilots keep a high level of vigilance during initial turn onto base and final.
28/6/2016	OCC0702	Barwon Heads Airport	VIC	Sirius	TL-3000 Sirius	Rotax	912 ULS	After landing on RWY 22 (a grass strip, with medium length grass) the pilot exited the RWY however d...
After landing on RWY 22 (a grass strip, with medium length grass) the pilot exited the RWY however didn’t see a shallow drain and subsequently hit the propeller (prop strike). The engine was at idle and the pilot was surprised by the very lightweight construction of blades. Long grass contributed to the event (unable to see the drain). OUTCOME: Taxiing incident - no further action required.
27/6/2016	OCC0692	TBA	NSW	Jabiru	J230-D	Jabiru	3300A	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Maintainer has advised owner that the engine is defec...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Maintainer has advised owner that the engine is defective and considered no longer airworthy. The engine has previously over heated and maintenance has not been able to assist in the issues. The engine has a total time of 250 hours. Engine heads are warped and loosening therefore needing adjusting every 25 hours. Owner has requested assistance from RAAus. OUTCOME: Owner advised that another maintainer has reviewed the engine and identified that the defect related to an engine cooling issue. Aircraft defect has been rectified with a manufacturer modification.
27/6/2016	OCC0698	Unknown	NSW	Jabiru	J230-D	Jabiru	3300A	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: The aircraft owners’ mechanic has determined that the...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: The aircraft owners’ mechanic has determined that the engine may no longer be airworthy. The engine had a history of overheating, now the heads are warped and loosening therefore needing adjusting every 25 hours. OUTCOME: Technical Manager reviewed the report and spoke with current maintainer. Maintainer stated that the engine was originally LAME maintained however during that time the LAME did not address issues with the head. The new maintainer conducted an inspection and decided that the engine should be removed prior to failure - a loan engine (Jabiru 3300A) has been fitted. The maintainer has indicated that the engine appears to have been previously run hot which may be have been due to the operator flying the aircraft with a lean mixture. To date nil defects evident since the engine replacement.
25/6/2016	OCC0687	Mildura Airport	VIC	Morgan	Cheetah	Jabiru	2.2	Nose wheel collapsed after landing however not due to a hard landing. Whilst on roll through the wel...
Nose wheel collapsed after landing however not due to a hard landing. Whilst on roll through the weld has given way on the nose wheel assembly. OUTCOME: This is a 19 registered amateur build aircraft. This aircraft type has a history of failure in the nose wheel design and material in which the manufacturer has addressed previously and offered upgradable parts.
25/6/2016	OCC0688	Caboolture	QLD	Tecnam	P2002 Sierra	Rotax	912ULS	Aircraft departed Caboolture to the West climbing through 3000 for 4500 ft when a burning smell was ...
Aircraft departed Caboolture to the West climbing through 3000 for 4500 ft when a burning smell was detected and then smoke in the cockpit (which appeared to be coming from beneath the seats). The pilot immediately turned back to Caboolture and the smoke started to dissipate (all happening within 60-90 seconds). The pilot continued back from the West declaring an emergency on the CTAF, as an aircraft was on takeoff roll from RWY30 and the pilot wanted to join long downwind for RWY30 to land as soon as possible. The pilot requested that the aircraft extend his takeoff on the RWY30 centre until the aircraft was past on the downwind leg (which they did). By the time the aircraft entered the downwind leg the smoke had completely dissipated and landed without incident. OUTCOME: Inspection of the aircraft found that the strobe light fuse had blown which led to the Strobe Controller Box, situated under the pilot's left-hand seat. Inspection of the grill over the cooling fan found black marks and smelt of burning. A new fuse was inserted, ignition key turned on and strobe switch turned on. The fan in Strobe Controller Box started humming and smoke started to exit from the cooling fan grill, confirming where the smoke came from. The fuse was disconnected and maintainer removed the Strobe Controller Box.
22/6/2016	OCC0691	Latrobe Valley	VIC	Tecnam	P92 Eaglet	Rotax	912ULS	Flat tyre upon landing. The pilot allowed the aircraft to roll to a stop just off the runway. OUTC...
Flat tyre upon landing. The pilot allowed the aircraft to roll to a stop just off the runway. OUTCOME:The tyre was re-inflated to allow the aircraft to taxi to the apron. The tyre became deflated shortly after parking on apron.
17/6/2016	OCC0679	Welcome Creek	QLD	Austflight ULA	Drifter A-503	Rotax	503 DCDI	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Cracked bracket on starboard, outer, forward brace br...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Cracked bracket on starboard, outer, forward brace bracket. Further investigation being conducted. OUTCOME: Technical Manager spoke with the owner of this aircraft who has identified this crack in the associated part during the dismantling stage. For reference the crack that was identified was on the negative G side of the bracket. The bracket would have failed only if a catastrophic, unrecoverable manoeuvre was performed on the aircraft and from discussion with the owner it appears that this very small crack may have been there for an extended period of time. This aircraft is being rebuilt from the ground up. The crack that was found, in the corresponding parts, are no longer available and the RAAus Technical Manager has recommended that the MARAP process would assist in replacing these parts.