Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
25/1/2017	OCC0986	Private Airfield, Kalkite	NSW	Evektor	Harmony	Rotax	914 ULS	The pilot overflew the field prior to landing and the windsock showed close to no wind. During appro...
The pilot overflew the field prior to landing and the windsock showed close to no wind. During approach the pilot also checked ground speed and airspeed, there was a difference of 4kts (back-wind). When the aircraft came to flare the pilot didn’t realize that a strong gust from the back didn’t let the aircraft down. When the aircraft came to touch down it was deep in the field and could not stop. Contact was made with a fence with the left wing and the whole aircraft turned around. The left wheel broke of and the right wing also hit the fence. Outcome: The pilot acknowledged that flying below 500' AGL over areas such as Mt Kosciusko represented increased risk, had the potential to bring RAAus into disrepute and agreed to cease the practice immediately. The flight was also non compliant as the pilot had a lapsed BFR and further upon landing the pilot over ran his private landing area causing significant damage to the aircraft. The pilot has effectively been grounded due to the aircraft damage and has not undertaken further flight. A comprehensive flight review including aircraft handling, decision making and other Human factors considerations was directed by Operations prior to further command flight.
25/1/2017	OCC0899	Wynyard	TAS	Jabiru	LSA 55	Jabiru	2200A	Soon after touchdown the pilot heard a light cracking sound and the right wing dropped slightly. The...
Soon after touchdown the pilot heard a light cracking sound and the right wing dropped slightly. The pilot assumed that there was a problem with the undercarriage and immediately put the stick hard to the left and eased in right rudder to take the weight of the right wheel. Turning of the RWY onto the grass the aircraft completely stopped just before the wing touched lightly onto the grass as the broken undercarriage bracket let the undercarriage leg twist forward. Outcome: The Technical Manager has discussed the issue with the owner. This issue has subsequently been referred to CASA as the aircraft is type certified.
21/1/2017	OCC0889	Devonport	TAS	Jabiru	LSA55/2K	Jabiru	2200	The aircraft bounced hard on landing in a crosswind, resulting in a collapsed nose wheel mounting. ...
The aircraft bounced hard on landing in a crosswind, resulting in a collapsed nose wheel mounting. OUTCOME: Runway Loss of Control accident by student pilot on second series of supervised solo circuits. Pilot handling skills, combined with changing crosswind conditions, were significant contributing factors in this accident.
16/1/2017	OCC0892	Coffs Harbour Airport	NSW	tecnam	p2002	rotax	912	Upon return to the airport after landing, and just before exiting RWY03, it became apparent that the...
Upon return to the airport after landing, and just before exiting RWY03, it became apparent that the aircraft had a main right flat tyre. The aircraft exited the runway into taxiway Delta. The airport safety officer towed the aircraft back to the hanger. OUTCOME: RAAus Technical Manager has reviewed the report and no further action is required.
13/1/2017	OCC0878	Bathurst Airport	NSW	Bristell	S-LSA	ROTAX	912	Two aircraft were conducting RH Circuits on RWY35. Both aircraft had instructors on-board and were c...
Two aircraft were conducting RH Circuits on RWY35. Both aircraft had instructors on-board and were conducting ab-intio training. After completing a touch and go on RWY35 Aircraft (1) became airborne and, at about 300' AGL, the instructor noticed an aircraft (Aircraft 2) on a mid left base leg for RWY17 (the aircraft appeared to be flying a relatively tight circuit). The instructor of aircraft 1 attempted to contact the unknown Aircraft 2 immediately on Bathurst CTAF. However after no response was received the instructor took positive action by breaking left to avoid a potential collision. After turning onto final for RWY17 aircraft 2 continued it's approach and landed on the RWY however still with no radio acknowledgment. Once landed the pilot discovered that Aircraft 2 pilot made an apologetic call stating he had issues with their radio. OUTCOME: RAAus Operations Managers have reviewed this report with no further action is required by RAAus. Due to the other pilot being in a VH registered aircraft, the matter of the radio malfunction is referred to CASA for further action.
12/1/2017	OCC0877	Naracoorte	SA	Jabiru	SK	Jabiru	2.2	An aircraft landed on the closed RWY. The RWY was marked with closure markers (white crosses) as def...
An aircraft landed on the closed RWY. The RWY was marked with closure markers (white crosses) as defined by the Method of Work Practices (MOWP) and a NOTAM had been issued. OUTCOME: The pilot was aware of the requirement to obtain NOTAMs, however did not for this flight. He was also aware of the significance of the white crosses, however he did not observe these until late final. He did not conduct a go-around as he felt there was no conflict with the machinery. Pilot was counselled on the importance of obtaining and preplanning flights. He will ensure NOTAMs are obtained prior to future flights.
9/1/2017	OCC0872	Redcliffe Aerodrome	QLD	Tecnam	Eaglet	Rotax	912 ULS	When landing, as the aircraft nose wheel was lowered it collapsed causing the propellor to strike th...
When landing, as the aircraft nose wheel was lowered it collapsed causing the propellor to strike the ground and the aircraft to veer off the RWY, coming to rest with nose on the grass verge. OUTCOME: Owner has had the aircraft agent review the nose wheel, who have not been able to identified an apparent cause for the collapse. Consideration needs to be taken into account that the aircraft may have been involved in a prior flight with a hard landing which may have weakened the nose wheel structure. Reports on this type of aircraft nose wheel will continue to be monitored for recurrences of this type.
8/1/2017	OCC0893	Private Airfield approximately 20KM SE of Armidale Airport	NSW	Skyranger	V-Max	Rotax	503	On short finals for landing on a private airstrip, the aircraft experienced sink that was greater th...
On short finals for landing on a private airstrip, the aircraft experienced sink that was greater than anticipated. The aircraft landed heavily on an up-sloping portion of the airstrip. OUTCOME: Pilot conducted a self assessed and found that due to a lack of experience landing at the private airstrip and their currency led to the incident.
6/1/2017	OCC0875	Eviron	NSW	Tecnam	P-92-2000RG	Rotax	912 ULS	Flying from YSPT to YEVD, due to weather conditions the pilot turned to return to YSPT. Approaching ...
Flying from YSPT to YEVD, due to weather conditions the pilot turned to return to YSPT. Approaching Farrent's Hill, the pilot lowered the plane from 3500ft to 1500ft to accommodate YBCG controlled airspace and as the aircraft was crossing Farrents Hill the engine started to lose power. The pilot checked fuel/mags etc. to no avail, so then briefed the passenger as to what was happening and gave them emergency landing procedure/ advice. The pilot lowered the undercarriage and determined the final route, which was to try and land on Eviron Road. Unfortunately the pilot did not have the height and decided to land in the cane field. The pilot held the plane up for as long as possible to achieve the optimum stall speed. As the wheels got near the ground the left wing struck a mound to the left, causing the plane to pull to the left, this caused the undercarriage to dig in and collapse and the plane came to rest on its starboard side. The cabin was unaffected and the pilot and passenger were able to immediately the plane with minor injuries. OUTCOME: Engine failure and forced landing conducted as a result of suspected carburettor icing conditions while pilot was descending under idle power to avoid weather. The landing was partially successful but resulted in damage due to unidentified objects in cane field where aircraft landed. COMMENT: While this accident could simply be determined as an engine failure due to suspected icing conditions, it has it's origins further back in relation to flight planning and Human factors as well as aircraft management. Pilots are reminded to interpret weather reports prior to flight planning and make route decisions or decisions on conducting the flight based on expected hazards. Conditions were ideal for carburettor icing to occur on this day and this combined with an accelerated low power descent to avoid cloud build up in an aircraft that had no carburettor heating system led to this unfortunate but preventable engine failure. Pilots are further reminded that all carburettor equipped engines can suffer icing if conditions are probable and not managed appropriately, regardless of engine type or claimed resistance to the condition.
5/1/2017	OCC0885	Moorabbin Airport	VIC	Aeroprakt	A22LS Foxbat	Rotax	912	Runway Incursion: After making a full stop landing at YMMB on RWY35R and taxiing onto taxiway Bravo,...
Runway Incursion: After making a full stop landing at YMMB on RWY35R and taxiing onto taxiway Bravo, the pilot made a call to taxi to the main apron. As soon as the pilot finished the call they heard another call which was "taxi to the main apron." The pilot assumed this was tower but in fact was another aircraft. The pilot gave a read back call which may not have transmitted due to the microphone button not being pressed all the way. After not hearing anything after read back, the pilot assumed that the aircraft was cleared to cross the active runway. OUTCOME: The pilot misunderstood calls as originating from the tower and taxied without clearance. In future, the pilot will ensure the call originated from the tower and that calls are directed at them by listening for their call-sign.
30/12/2016	OCC0867	Moorook	SA	Jabiru	SK4	Jabiru	2200J	Initial report stated that the aircraft experienced a rough running engine when coming into land in ...
Initial report stated that the aircraft experienced a rough running engine when coming into land in a field, where the aircraft struck power lines. Aircraft has been destroyed and the pilot and passenger had minor injuries. OUTCOME: RAAus Operations had discussions with PIC regarding possible casual factors which led to this incident. PIC admit that the aircraft did not experience engine difficulties and that they were actually flying low causing the aircraft to strike power lines. Operations has proposed for the PIC to complete a Low Level (LL) training (not for issues of LL endorsement, for educational purposes) with an appropriately endorsed CFI prior to any further flight.
29/12/2016	OCC0865	Saint Helens	TAS	Icp Srl	Savannah VG	Rotax	912ULS	In the final stage of flight (near final destination) the pilot noticed fog was obscuring the airstr...
In the final stage of flight (near final destination) the pilot noticed fog was obscuring the airstrip and made the decision to land on the sand at a nearby beach. After very gently touching down, the front wheel became stuck in 4x4 ruts and collapsed which caused aircraft to flip onto its back. No injuries were sustained by the pilot. OUTCOME: Weather deteriorated faster than forecast and fog accumulated at the airport, with less than 2 NM to run. As there were no other nearby airstrips within safe decision making distance, the pilot elected to conduct a precautionary landing on the beach rather than arrive at an alternate with minimal fuel remaining. He elected not to attempt to land at the airstrip through the fog even though his GPS told him it was only 2 NM away. The pilot had sufficient fuel to conduct orbits and assess the situation, prior to conducting a precautionary landing on the beach. The aircraft flipped onto its back due to soft sand with no injuries to the pilot. A review of weather and assessment of beach landing considerations will be conducted at the next flight review.
29/12/2016	OCC0866	Tumut	NSW	Zenith Aircraft	Zodiac 601 Xl	Jabiru	3300A	While starting the engine the pilot accidentally had a small amount of throttle on which caused the ...
While starting the engine the pilot accidentally had a small amount of throttle on which caused the aircraft to surge forward and hit the adjoining hangar. Some damage was sustained to the aircraft propeller and wingtip, with the hanger receiving a dent in one corner. OUTCOME: While starting the aircraft, the appropriate actions to prevent the aircraft moving were not enacted which resulted in the aircraft striking a hangar with the wing tip and propeller. Members are reminded of the importance of checklists and appropriate actions when starting or shutting down an aircraft to prevent injury to bystanders, other aircraft or buildings.
28/12/2016	OCC0871	Aldinga Airfield	SA	Evektor	Sportstar SL	Rotax	912ULS	Aircraft commenced take off roll and just got airborne when engine lost some power. Take off aborte...
Aircraft commenced take off roll and just got airborne when engine lost some power. Take off aborted and aircraft landed safely on remaining runway and taxied back to hangar. OUTCOME: On inspection of the aircraft to determine the cause of engine power loss the maintainer found that it was due to a valve in the engine fuel pump. Owner has contacted the distributed who will be conducting further analysis on the pump. Fuel pump has been replaced and the aircraft is again serviceable.
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.