Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
3/4/2016	OCC0655	Arundel	QLD	Zenith Aircraft	Zodiac Ch 601 Hd	Rotax	912S	The pilot had commenced take-off run. The aircraft lifted its tail at 45 kts and at approximately 55...
The pilot had commenced take-off run. The aircraft lifted its tail at 45 kts and at approximately 55 kts the aircraft changed direction abruptly and ran off the runway onto rough ground where the right main wheel structure collapse. The pilot and passenger where able alight easily from the aircraft with nil injuries. OUTCOME: Pilot advised that there was a cross-wind from the left and the rotation to the left was sudden and unrecoverable. Pilot has undertaken his own remedial training with an RAAus instructor and the aircraft has been fully inspected and is awaiting parts for completion of repairs.
1/4/2016	OCC0613	Bendigo Airport	VIC	Cheetah	TBA	Jabiru	2200	Pilot was completing some high speed taxi runs on RWY35 to ascertain how the aircraft handled after ...
Pilot was completing some high speed taxi runs on RWY35 to ascertain how the aircraft handled after it had been refurbished. The aircraft was tracking straight with good rudder control at approximately 45 kt when the pilot gave a slight elevator back pressure with the intention of lifting the nose wheel just off the ground. To the surprise of the pilot the aircraft took flight. Pilot immediately closed the throttle however put the aircraft back onto the runway quite hard. The nose wheel and mains then collapsed and skidded 20 m off to the right of the runway. OUTCOME: RAAus Operations and Technical departments have reviewed this report with no further action required. RAAus members are advised that prior to test flying aircraft that further guidance and assistance should be sought about test flight procedures if they have no prior or minimal experience. Additionally a risk assessment in relation to owner builder flight testing should be conducted.
27/3/2016	OCC0614	Aldinga Aerodrome	SA	Cubcrafters	CC11-100	Teledyne Continental	0-200A88B	Pilot conducting touch and go. The tail wheel connecting bolt disconnected from the aircraft which l...
Pilot conducting touch and go. The tail wheel connecting bolt disconnected from the aircraft which left the tail wheel left dangling. Pilot had an uneventful wheeler landing carried out. Aircraft has had a new bolt fitted. OUTCOME: This is a high time aircraft utilised in ab-initio pilot training. Due to the nature of tail wheel training, and the environment at that airfield, more than normal operational loading would have been continually applied to this area of the aircraft. Members are reminded to conduct a thorough pre-flight inspection.
27/3/2016	OCC0612	Redcliffe	QLD	Evektor	Sportstar Plus	Rotax	912 ULS	Airspace Infringement: At 2230 radar return code A1200 observed tracking toward the East at A020 pen...
Airspace Infringement: At 2230 radar return code A1200 observed tracking toward the East at A020 penetrating CTA base A015. When called by the Radar controller the aircraft advised their call sign and their intention was tracking to overfly a mates house. The aircraft tracked to the West to leave CTA. The mode C was subsequently verified. No separation issues. OUTCOME: Pilot breached Brisbane CTA via the northern VFR lane whilst manoeuvring to take photographs of his house. Pilots are reminded again to maintain high levels of vigilance and appropriate separation from known CTA to avoid unplanned incursions. Any recreational activity including photography should take the lowest priority in these circumstances and best conducted for private purposes with a friend or other command pilot so situational awareness is not compromised.
24/3/2016	OCC1043	Bendigo	VIC	Bristell	Bristell	Rotax	912 ULS	During a type conversion flight a noise was noticed on incoming CCT transmission. The plane had expe...
During a type conversion flight a noise was noticed on incoming CCT transmission. The plane had experienced recent problems with noisy reception on both radios comms and an attempt to isolate the noise was commenced (during the flight the noise was apparent on all incoming transmissions). Non essential equipment was isolated and a check with one of the radios on 121.5 MHZ indicated an active emergency beacon. Although there was no indication of a active beacon on dash indicator the ELT was disarmed at the main unit. Melbourne centre was advised of the inadvertent activation. OUTCOME: The ELT serviceability had been questioned on previous maintenance releases. The dash switch had been suspected as faulty however it had not been replaced due to cost issues. Some months after this incident the ELT was replaced by the manufacturer and there had been a Service Bulletin raised by the ELT manufacturer.
20/3/2016	OCC0609	Balanabah Tottenham	NSW	Savannah	S	Rotax	912	After completing both cockpit and engine tests the pilot proceeded to roll down the runway. After ap...
After completing both cockpit and engine tests the pilot proceeded to roll down the runway. After approximately 200 m, and reaching 50 kts, the plane lifted approximately 2 m. The nose of the plane pitched up and after correction the plane dropped resulting in a hard landing on the nose wheel. Pilot immediately switched off the engine along with the fuel supply to the plane. Substantial damage to the aircraft. OUTCOME: Runway- Loss of Control (R-LOC) during the take off phase off flight. Pilot was current on type and familiar with airfield. Probable cause related to local environmental conditions generating wind shear. This has previously been identified by numerous experienced pilots flying at this airfield.
19/3/2016	OCC0599	Waikerie	SA	Thatcher	Cx4	Aero Power	122/1	During transit to to Wentworth to attend Fly-in the engine revs increased just after a white object ...
During transit to to Wentworth to attend Fly-in the engine revs increased just after a white object flew away towards the starboard wing. This was followed by medium to bad engine vibrations and the pilot shut down the engine immediately. Pilot gave an inbound call to Waikerie Traffic that they were inbound with the engine out and dead stick landing and touched down with no problem. On inspection of the aircraft the nose section of the composite spinner was missing and all retaining screws were intact, in place and screwed down to what was their full potential. The one and only shattered prop blade had white collision marks where it had contacted the spinner as it broke away. No injury to the pilot and no issue with the engine. Damage was a small dent on the leading edge of the starboard 2/3 out from fuselage where it was struck by a piece of spinner. OUTCOME: Inspection of propeller shown that the component is not viewed as defective however probable cause maybe due to installation of propeller. Inspection of the broken propeller showed the timber laminates were split in two places from tip to hub and a piece of tip missing about match box size. The Firewall engine mount was inspected and the frame bolts and anchor points were intact/undamaged as well as the rubber engine mount points. Both engine ignition timings remain at 28 deg as set, tappet clearances all check at the 4th and 6th as set respectively. A tethered ground run up on a borrowed prop revealed no irregular vibrations and smooth running at idle and flat out. A new propeller has been purchased and will be fitted with greater care.
17/3/2016	OCC0598	18 nm North of Amberley	QLD	Airplane Factory	Sling iS	Rotax	912 IS	During a Navigation Exercise with a student (located approximately 18nm North East of Amberley Airpo...
During a Navigation Exercise with a student (located approximately 18nm North East of Amberley Airport) BN centre contacted and informed us that we had climbed up into the Class C LL of 3500 and were reading 3700 on Centres radars. Pilot informed Centre that our altimeter was reading 3400. BN Centre also informed us that we were very close to the Amberley R620A and had indicated inside at one point. Our intended track was to remain OCTA and track Northwest along the western edge of the range not above 3500 for KCY to overfly as part of a simulated diversion and track crawling exercise. Unfortunately due to high terrain just East of track and Low cloud along the intended path we were pushed West toward Amberley's Airspace. Although visually it appeared as though we remained outside as informed by BN centre we must have brushed the edge of the airspace at some stage during the flight. Upon reflecting on the exercise pilot believes that flying between these Airspace boundary's using nothing but dead reckoning was not the best option for the flight and further consideration will be applied for any subsequent flights to this area. Since the incident the CFI has flown the aircraft and have confirmed that there is a discrepancy between the Transponder and the Altimeter confirming the suspicion of an error with the instruments. This will be rectified ASAP before conducting any further flights of this type in this Aircraft. OUTCOME: Operations conducted an Investigation. Aircraft operator to have appropriate testing and re-calibration of altimeter and transponder prior to further flight. Distributor (owner) reminded of ongoing instrument calibration requirements as per RAAus Technical manual and CAO's.
16/3/2016	OCC0610	Albury	NSW	Jabiru	J230-d LSA	Jabiru	J230-D	Aircraft failed to report and an INCERFA was declared. Aircraft was instructed to call clear of cont...
Aircraft failed to report and an INCERFA was declared. Aircraft was instructed to call clear of controlled airspace at 16nm AY. At 2309 calls to aircraft were unanswered from AY TWR and ML CTR. INCERFA declared and details passed to ML ORM for action. ML ORM advised that aircraft was safe on ground and INCERFA cancelled. OUTCOME: Pilot determined that he made the appropriate departure call. Action taken to cancel INCERFA was activated immediately and no further action was required.
15/3/2016	OCC0608	Narrandera	NSW	Jabiru	J230	Jabiru	3300A	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Induction Hoses softening and not sealing clamps. Not...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Induction Hoses softening and not sealing clamps. Not sealing hoses for full circumference and allowing fuel/air mixture to leak and lean cylinder. OUTCOME: Technical Manager has liaised with Jabiru for guidance on the issues. The hoses were removed and replaced at 500 h, with new hoses and clamps supplied by Jabiru fitted. Jabiru Maintenance Manual Issue 6 was used however the document was found to provide little guidance to the torque to be applied to the clamps. The new hoses have approximately 16 hours on them and the clamps and hoses on No.2 & No.4 are starting to exhibit the same issues that were previously noted. Jabiru indicated to RAAus that they would offer to review the clamps currently being utilised to see if there was a defective batch. Jabiru also offered to review their technical manual and add a procedure for tightening the clamp for owners of Jabirus.
14/3/2016	OCC0602	Orange	NSW	Jabiru	J160C	Jabiru	2200	A near-miss reported. RAAus aircraft called taxiing for RWY04, which was not the operational runway,...
A near-miss reported. RAAus aircraft called taxiing for RWY04, which was not the operational runway, however did not make any further CTAF calls until turning crosswind. The aircraft was aware of other traffic operating to RWY11 and had been communicating with them on the CTAF(R) frequency. RAAus aircraft conducted a takeoff on RWY04 whilst a C-27J was on short finals to RWY11. OUTCOME: Owner of aircraft advised that the aircraft was not flown on the day in question however was flown on the Sunday (next day). Pilot was with a student and circuits were being conducted on RWY04 which was most into wind runway. No loss of separation was evident and communication and clearance was assured at all time by the pilot in command.
14/3/2016	OCC0594	Archerfield	QLD	The Aircraft Factory	Sling 2	Rotax	912 IS	Upon commencing take-off (whilst conducting a touch and go) a bird flew out at Vr and struck the pro...
Upon commencing take-off (whilst conducting a touch and go) a bird flew out at Vr and struck the propeller. Pilot chose to continue the take-off given that they were above rotation speed and had committed. OUTCOME: No obvious signs of propeller damage during the climb out and upon landing pilot conducted a visual inspection of propeller and found no obvious damage to propeller or the aircraft. First report of a bird strike for Archerfield area reported to RAAus since October 2015.
13/3/2016	OCC0606	Yarrawonga	VIC	Airborne	XT 912	Rotax	912	Fatal Accident involving RAAus member and passenger. RAAus accident consultants are assisting police...
Fatal Accident involving RAAus member and passenger. RAAus accident consultants are assisting police in determining the causal factors that led to the accident. A special Enews was sent out to members to inform them of the events http://www.vision6.com.au/em/message/email/view.php?id=1183949&u=70000 The Coroner found the pilot and passenger of the Airborne Edge Trike died as a result of injuries sustained from a collision into terrain. Evidence supports findings that environmental factors contributed to the cause of the accident to the extent that the presence of convective turbulence adversely influenced the pilots’ ability to control at a time where the Coroner found it likely they were flying too low on the presence of these factors. https://www.coronerscourt.vic.gov.au/inquests-findings/findings?combine=cook
12/3/2016	OCC0600	Callington	SA	Airborne	XT912S	Rotax	912	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: A bracket was found broken after a one hour local fli...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: A bracket was found broken after a one hour local flight while cleaning the aircraft. The break line is associated with an indent that looks like a shallow prick punch mark. The metal grain under that mark is very different to the rest and could have been like that at installation. There is also a possibility that a sharp stone has come off the propeller and damaged the bracket. Investigation continuing. OUTCOME: Further information provided by reporter stating that this is an issue with the design as various other instance have been logged with the HGFA. The manufacturer is aware of this problem. The manufacturer has stated that this is an older model and not produced any more. They have replaced eight (8) sets for effected members. An issue is that the correct tension is maintained which then allows the bracket to move, then fatigue and crack. It is recommended that spat movement is always included in daily checks which will identify the looseness would could be found during the check.
12/3/2016	OCC0803	Inverell Aerodrome	NSW	Jabiru	J170	Jabiru	2200B	On departure the aircraft experienced partial engine failure on take-off (the engine dropped to idle...
On departure the aircraft experienced partial engine failure on take-off (the engine dropped to idle in a full power configuration). The engine power was restored however the pilot made a precautionary landing. Upon a ground inspection, the aircraft seemed ok with the engine performing as normal. The aircraft continued to its destination the following day without any further incident. OUTCOME: A later inspection by a mechanic found a faulty fuel pump to be the fault and the defective part was replaced.