Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
23/11/2016	OCC0835	Binalong	NSW	Skyfox Aviation	Skyfox Ca22	Rotax	912	Whilst taxiing the aircraft, on a paddock strip in relatively long grass, the tail wheel did not rel...
Whilst taxiing the aircraft, on a paddock strip in relatively long grass, the tail wheel did not release when turning. Consequently the propeller impacted thistles damaging propeller tips. The pilot had walked the intended path for taxi and take off prior to taxiing. OUTCOME: While taxiing in a friends paddock for departure, the tail wheel aircraft did not turn as expected, resulting in the propeller impacting thistles and damaging the tips of the blades. Pilot admitted his mistake and will ensure the paddock is slashed to ensure vegetation is cleared prior to future flights.
18/11/2016	OCC0828	West Sale	VIC	Aeroprakt	A22LS Foxbat	Rotax	912IS	Aircraft was readied for flight with a thorough pre-flight conducted prior to starting up, aircraft ...
Aircraft was readied for flight with a thorough pre-flight conducted prior to starting up, aircraft was started and pre-take off checks completed, oil temp was at 65 degrees on commencement of the take off roll. As the aircraft became airborne it began losing thrust and stalled from about, 5ft striking the tail wheel first destroying it. Power was then returning causing loss of direction control until the pilot closed the throttle whilst heading for a drainage ditch. The pilot braked heavily and a partial ground loop was initiated causing the left wing tip to scrape the ground, front nose wheel dropped in to a hole while turning just prior to stopping bending the nose gear leg. On inspection of the aircraft back in the hangar it was noted that the propeller, whilst rotating it by hand, was notchy indicating a possibly bearing failure/gearbox failure had occurred causing the initial loss of thrust on take-off (there was no propeller strike during the incident). OUTCOME: Manufacturer provided an engine tear down card as no actual engine tear down report was completed. The engine tear down card states that no fault with the mechanical or electrical data was found during the inspection. The engine has been returned to the owner for installation.
18/11/2016	OCC0838	Wagga Wagga	NSW	Tecnam	Echo Super	Rotax	912 ULS	After a normal take off, during the climb the propeller stopped or almost stopped sufficiently to se...
After a normal take off, during the climb the propeller stopped or almost stopped sufficiently to see the prop blade. There ensued a very large vibration causing a shake in the plane. The vibration was severe and the plane began to lose height. A quick check was made by the pilot which confirmed that the oil pressure was bottom of the green and oil temperature was into the yellow. The pilot then reduced to about 2500 RPM, the vibration decreased and the pilot increased to 2800 RPM and pushed the nose down a bit at the same time. Once the pilot was sure the engine was operating normally they resumed the climb and continued to their destination. When the aircraft levelled out all the gauges were green. OUTCOME: Technical Manager liaised with the LAME/ L2. After inspection of the aircraft it was determined that the initial issue related to gearbox which has been rectified with no other defects detected. No other issues have been identified. The aircraft engine is currently over TTIS and requires the engine to be overhauled. Members are reminded of the importance of completing scheduled maintenance and overhaul processes on time.
18/11/2016	OCC0829	Portland Airport	VIC	Jabiru	J160C	Jabiru	2200	The pilot had conducted three circuits. On the final leg of the circuit approach from base at 700 f...
The pilot had conducted three circuits. On the final leg of the circuit approach from base at 700 ft maintaining at 60 to 65 kt. The aircraft ballooned after contact with the ground and struck hard on second contact. The heavy landing broke the front wheel spat, a part of which fell off aircraft onto the RWY. The pilot detected that the spat was damaged on return to hangar and contacted airport groundsman of the potential hazard on the RWY. OUTCOME: Report has been reviewed by RAAus Operations. The pilot stated that they reduced power too fast in the flare and did not apply or maintain sufficient power during ballooning period maintain flight.
18/11/2016	OCC0827	Tamworth Airport	NSW	Evektor	SportStar	Rotax	912 ULS	During circuit training the instructor intended to conduct EFATO training as a lead up to a pre-solo...
During circuit training the instructor intended to conduct EFATO training as a lead up to a pre-solo check session. All five preceding 'touch and go's', including two glide approaches, were normal and of an increasingly proficient standard. The Instructors intention on the full stop was to vacate by the first taxiway to minimise time on the RWY to assist with traffic in the circuit. The aircraft overshot the first taxiway and was still carrying a little power as the aircraft overshot the second taxiway. The brakes began to fade to the point of having no brake. The aircraft was still rolling at the end of the runway which necessitated departing the runway to the left into long grass. The aircraft was recovered successfully to the runway under its own power. OUTCOME: Instructor did not manage students final approach to ensure sufficient runway remained for landing.
17/11/2016	OCC0834	The Oaks	NSW	Foxbat	A22	Rotax	912S	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Two cracks detected on both doubler plates on carry t...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Two cracks detected on both doubler plates on carry through rear spar channel, 90 degree bracket riveted onto inside of fuselage to carry through spar channel. Left side has one defined crack and to its right a small less defined crack, on the right hand bracket there are two fine cracks in the same area. The airframe has 3600 hours and this aircraft has been used for training its whole life. Also this aircraft was involved in an accident in Port Macquarie where its left wing impacted the ground after the nose leg was damaged following a heavy landing. OUTCOME: This aircraft has previously been involved in an accident. The Australian agent believes that this accident is the possible cause for the crack developing. A repair process and parts are being supplied by the factory and repaired by a maintainer. Technical Manager has reviewed this report which is the first of its kind in this type of aircraft model.
16/11/2016	OCC0825	Orange Airport	NSW	Jabiru	J160	Jabiru	2200B	During early circuit training, a student on their first landing after a couple of weeks break lost d...
During early circuit training, a student on their first landing after a couple of weeks break lost directional control on landing roll due to the crosswind and rolled to runway edge striking a runway light. OUTCOME: RAAus Operations have reviewed this report. The loss of directional control was due to the inexperience of the student pilot in crosswinds. The student is continuing training with CFI.
14/11/2016	OCC0826	Lismore	NSW	Jabiru	J230-D	Jabiru	3300A	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: The aircraft transceiver has started to randomly flip...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: The aircraft transceiver has started to randomly flip-flop the standby frequency with the active frequency for no apparent reason. This has occurred once or twice at any stage of flight. OUTCOME: Member has contacted the manufacturer directly due to this aircraft being a LSA. RAAus have this as the first recorded defect on this aircraft type and will liaise with the manufacturer if more reports of this nature are received.
13/11/2016	OCC0881	Woodstock Airstrip	QLD	Arion Aircraft	Lightning LS1	Camit	3300A	After touchdown, during the rollout, the nose wheel collapsed which also caused the Emergency Locato...
After touchdown, during the rollout, the nose wheel collapsed which also caused the Emergency Locator Beacon (ELT) to activate. AMSA was notified that this was a minor incident with no injuries reported. OUTCOME: The PIC advised that the nose wheel hinge block is only 140 mm off the ground. On rough strips the available suspension is limited, causing excessive stress on the nose wheel hinge junction. This is believed to be the common contributing factor to both this and a previous accident for this aircraft with different PICs. The PIC advised that operationally the nose wheel was held off appropriately and was not a consideration in this accident. RAAus Technical Manager also reviewed the report and advises members that as an experimental aircraft its the responsibility for the builder/owner to review and/or make necessary changes to address a particular fault. This aircraft is also made under the LSA process and there have been no other reported failures similar to this incident and will therefore continue to monitor for further incidents of this nature.
12/11/2016	OCC0818	Oxley Island	NSW	Drifter	Maxair xp	rotax	503	The aircraft preformed a forced landing in paddock due to mechanical failure from a broken throttle ...
The aircraft preformed a forced landing in paddock due to mechanical failure from a broken throttle cable. Where the throttle cable passes through the floor there was a sharp angle in the cable, and the outer cable had a slight kink in it, which caused wear on the inner cable (causing it to break). OUTCOME: RAAus Technical Manager has review the report and reminds members who are owners of 19 amateur built aircraft that they are also required to conduct pre-flight inspections and appropriate maintenance.
12/11/2016	OCC0820	2km South of Miling	WA	Jabiru	J170D	Jabiru	2200	A mechanical failure of the engine occurred during a cross country training flight, resulting in an ...
A mechanical failure of the engine occurred during a cross country training flight, resulting in an emergency landing in an outfield. The engine presented no signs of any issues and all temps and pressures were well within operating standards at the time of the engine failure. OUTCOME: Engine appears to have No. 4 piston collapse with conrod or big end impacting crankcase internals. Engine will be sent to manufacturer (LSA) to conduct a strip down and the surviving pistons will be crack checked by Aerospace NDI company. LSA aircraft which comes under ATSM standard with CASA.
12/11/2016	OCC0819	Between Caboolture airport and Bribie Island	QLD	Aeroprakt	A32 Vixxen	Rotax	912 ULS	After leveling out at 1500ft the aircraft hit a patch of light to moderate turbulence, the passenger...
After leveling out at 1500ft the aircraft hit a patch of light to moderate turbulence, the passenger side door flew open and then sprung back inside the cabin jamming in the door frame. Pilot has suggested that a probable causes was due to the door flexing in the turbulence which allowed the front of the door to open slightly into airstream with the precipitating wind force overpowering the door latch. OUTCOME: RAAus Technical Manager has reviewed this report and liaised with the LSA Manufacturer who is addressing the problem and an additional type lock or bracket has been suggested. The LSA manufacturer will be notifying all affected owners.
9/11/2016	OCC0812	Orange Airport	NSW	Jabiru	160C	Jabiru	2200B	Aircraft experiences a bird strike on landing with no damage to aircraft reported. OUTCOME: This i...
Aircraft experiences a bird strike on landing with no damage to aircraft reported. OUTCOME: This is the first report regarding a bird strike in this area. RAAus will continue to monitor any bird strikes reports for this area and ensure information in the ERSA for the local area advises appropriate information.
9/11/2016	OCC0817	Echuca Airport	VIC	Jabiru	J160c	Jabiru	2200B	Conducting circuits on a sealed RWY. As the main gear came into contact with the RWY there was a jol...
Conducting circuits on a sealed RWY. As the main gear came into contact with the RWY there was a jolt felt through the rudder pedals. The aircraft was more than halfway down the RWY and the pilot pushed the throttle to full power and initiated a go around. After the aircraft lifted off the RWY the pilot realized there was no rudder control at all. The pilot then flew a low level circuit and landed the aircraft safely without further incident. OUTCOME: On inspection it was found that the rudder cable had broken on the rearmost thread (which is used to adjust cable length) where the cable is attached to the rudder pedals. The Jabiru Service Bulletin and inspection had been carried out by L2 about 3 weeks prior to the incident with no defects evident at the time. Due to this aircraft being an LSA and coming under the ASTM standards, de-identified information has been forwarded to CASA for follow up with the required manufacturer.
9/11/2016	OCC1030	Broken Hill Airport	NSW	Aeroprakt	A32	Rotax	912	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: The Bowden cable used to operate the carburettor heat...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: The Bowden cable used to operate the carburettor heat on this aircraft has been configured so that when the control knob in the cockpit is pilled, the cable end at the carburettor extends. The change f direction in the cable's action is achieved by the single wire carburettor heater control cable having a 180 degree bend half way along its length. In the form of a tight 'U', and doubling back along itself for a couple of inches. The cable sleeve is in two separate parts so that the portion of the cable with the 'U' bend is exposed, and free to move outside the sleeve. On this particular aircraft the cable sleeves were not supported at the ends near the 'U' bend. This allowed the cable sleeves to move with the control cable and prevent the carburettor heater valve from operating correctly. DETERMINED OUTCOME: This issue has been rectified and the Maintenance Manager has also notified the manufacturer of the issue.