Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
26/1/2016	OCC0563	Jaspers Brush	NSW	Tl Ultralight	Tl-2000 Sting	Rotax	912 ULS2	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: On returning to aerodrome after a short solo flight, ...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: On returning to aerodrome after a short solo flight, the landing gear was selected down with only the nose wheel light illuminated. The gear was cycled several times without success. The emergency gear down was activated (which disconnects the gear motor and allows the landing gear to fall by gravity). Pilot was still unable to get the main gear lights to illuminate. On landing, the touchdown appeared normal but as the aircraft slowed to a stop the left main gear collapsed. The following day the aircraft was lifted on to a frame so the main gear could be locked down manually. It was seen that a part of the gear mechanism had twisted so the main gear could not reach the lock down position. When taxiing back to the aircraft parking position, the nose wheel collapsed although the 3 green lights were illuminated indicating all wheels were locked down. OUTCOME: Preliminary investigation showed that the main wheels did not reach the lock down position due to excess bending of the push-pull rods. These are only operating when the main wheels are going up or down and do not take any strain when the wheels are down and locked. Preliminary investigation of the nose wheel collapse points to the gas strut, which holds the wheel in the lock down position, failing. It seems that these two incidents are not related but a pure coincidence that they happened a day apart.
24/1/2016	OCC0585	2 nm West of Holbrook Airfield	NSW	Skydart	2S	Rotax	912	Engine stopped at 1200 ft above a tree area with no clear landing area in sight. Pilot gave 'MAYDAY'...
Engine stopped at 1200 ft above a tree area with no clear landing area in sight. Pilot gave 'MAYDAY' call then glided to an open area and landed safely. Pilot tried to radio Melbourne that they had landed successfully however assumed radio was not transmitting out of area. MAYDAY call was not cancelled until some time later with AMSAR. OUTCOME: Pilot advised he called AMSAR RCC on return to Holbrook after speaking with MEL CTR on the same day as soon as he became airborne again. Pilot had AMSAR number in phone but couldn't locate it due to not having access to reading glasses. Ops confirmed with pilot the SAR cancellation was completed on same day as MAYDAY. Pilot had planned and carried sufficient fuel for flight plus 10 litres reserve, heat of day resulted in additional fuel burn in combination with greater headwinds. One tank is believed to have un-ported as aircraft still had 8 litres when the engine failed. Aircraft has no POH or published burn rates or minimum fuel requirements. Pilot has modified fuel system to reduce potential for vapour locks.
23/1/2016	OCC0554	Roma Airfield	QLD	Skyfox	Gazelle	Rotax	912	After take-off on the second circuit of a training flight, the engine began to run rough and lost po...
After take-off on the second circuit of a training flight, the engine began to run rough and lost power. Throttle was reduced to maintain power but then completely failed. Aircraft was landed in a paddock just south of the airfield. Possible problem with the check valves in the fuel lines as the fuel isolation valve was in the ON position and electric boost pump was ON. OUTCOME: The aircraft fuel system was inspected with a fuel flow test to each carburettor and no fault was found. The hoses had very recently been replaced within the last 10 hours of flight and it was thought that a foreign body may have caused a blockage but this was not the case. After the aircraft forced landed in the paddock, the electric fuel pump could be heard running and a check of the strainer drain valve showed ample fuel flow available to that point with the pump turned off. Conditions at the time were quite warm having cooled down to 35 deg C but operations were from a long bitumen runway that was very hot from the day's sun. The engine failed on the second circuit when the engine bay was hot and it is very likely to be vapour lock from fuel boiling in the lines inside the engine bay. The Aircraft Flight Manual restricts operations to less than 39 deg C for Gazelle aircraft but school operations manual restricts operations to below 35 deg C (the case here). CFI has re-routed the fuel lines inside the engine bay to be away from the engine and in the cool air but also looking at other options for operations during hot weather.
23/1/2016	OCC1044	Bendigo	VIC	Tecnam	P92 Super Echo	Rotax	912 ULS	During a Flight Review the tail of the aircraft impacted the RWY. Determined Outcome: Due to the ...
During a Flight Review the tail of the aircraft impacted the RWY. Determined Outcome: Due to the delay between this incident occurring and it being reported it is unlikely that any further investigation can contribute to improved safety. Members are reminded of the importance of adhering to maintenance recording procedures and ensuring incidents such as these are reported in a timely way. RAAus continues to improve and enhance maintenance procedures and processes and encourages members to continue to report all events for data and trend analysis purposes.
22/1/2016	OCC0557	Morawa	WA	Jabiru	SP500-6	Jabiru	6	On touchdown on RWY33 at Morawa, WA pilot was hit by a willy willy or massive wind change. Pilot cou...
On touchdown on RWY33 at Morawa, WA pilot was hit by a willy willy or massive wind change. Pilot could not control the aircraft so decided to do a go around. On applying full power the nose gear collapsed and the right main gear broke and folded back. OUTCOME: Pilot and local CFI were advised of appropriate strategies to assist in minimising the effects of local meteorological conditions and the correct communication and cancellation processes for any inferred SAR that may be undertaken as the result of an accident. Pilots operating at remote airfields, where environmental factors are likely to have major impacts on flight control in the landing phase, should consider appropriate arrival and departure timing or available alternates or advanced precautionary assessment of the intended landing area.
21/1/2016	OCC0555	Archerfield	QLD	The Aeroplane Factory	Sling 2	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Fuel evaporation due to over heating engine in hot we...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Fuel evaporation due to over heating engine in hot weather conditions. OUTCOME: Advice given to operator that the aircraft water temperature increases during ground run and will shut down due to overheating (Fuel evaporated when delivered from Carburettor to engine).
20/1/2016	OCC0553	Wardell	NSW	Aeroprakt	A22LS Foxbat	Rotax	912 ULS	Pilot had planned sortie and successfully flown into the same ALA on some 60 previous occasions and ...
Pilot had planned sortie and successfully flown into the same ALA on some 60 previous occasions and thoroughly familiar with the risks and lack of options once committed to a landing. A Precautionary Search and Landing (PSL) sequence was flown with three overflight circuits while completing the PSL checklist. During the PSL checklist no anomaly was identified that would have prevented a successful landing. The upwind length and speed check was of 15 seconds duration flown at 60 knots and indicated no significant winds. The TAF was 010/10 an effective light crosswind on the 27/09 strip. The approach was flown at exactly 50kts with a planned touch down close to the threshold. On flare and round out the ground speed was assessed at approx. 70-80kts. A go round was not an option as there were power lines at the other end. The runway has a significant uphill gradient at the far end. Heavy braking was initiated well before the uphill gradient with the aircraft still travelling at significant speed approaching the end of the runway so a ground loop was initiated to avoid trees and barb wire at the end of the airstrip. During the left ground loop the right wheel dug into the dirt causing the right wing to contact the ground and damaging it. OUTCOME: Incident occurred during a higher risk operation. Due to student intending to operate in a higher risk environment at his own ALA it was thought prudent to expose the student to a higher risk environment to prepare him for his intended operations at his own ALA. Risk could be totally mitigated by not providing this training. Use of a GPS to provide true ground speed may have prevented this incident. In future a GPS will be carried in such training to provide a true ground speed reading and perhaps mitigate/prevent an occurrence.
20/1/2016	OCC0551	Aldinga Airfield	SA	Evektor	Sport Star SL	Rotax	912 ULS	Upon landing the aircraft bounced slightly. Believing that it could be held off, landing proceeded (...
Upon landing the aircraft bounced slightly. Believing that it could be held off, landing proceeded (based on holding off). Aircraft bounced again and go around was initiated however aircraft bounced again resulting in the nosewheel hitting the ground and collapsing. OUTCOME: Pilot stated that there was pressure to land on a short runway in light wind conditions and in future will initiate go around earlier or pick a longer runway in light wind conditions. Ops reviewed report and corrective actions outlined are sufficient to prevent a recurrence.
18/1/2016	OCC0558	Tyabb	VIC	UFO	5	Rotax	503	Member has built this aircraft and operations of this aircraft are being conducted during the testin...
Member has built this aircraft and operations of this aircraft are being conducted during the testing phase - this is the first aircraft of type and design. ' OUTCOME: Incident occurred due to loss of control issues during test flight. Minor damage to aircraft which is being repaired.
17/1/2016	OCC0626	Bairnsdale Aerodrome	VIC	Aeroprakt	A22LS Foxbat	Rotax	912 ULS	During the landing the aircraft experienced a moderate head/ crosswind which caused the left wing to...
During the landing the aircraft experienced a moderate head/ crosswind which caused the left wing to lift slightly. As the nose wheel came down heavily is caused the assembly to collapse which resulted in a prop strike. The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, nose wheel assembly and lower engine cowling. There were no injuries. OUTCOME: Pilot failed to control aircraft in landing phase in respect of appropriate crosswind handling techniques. Further training required in order to develop pilot's skill development.
16/1/2016	OCC0718	Private strip Griffith	NSW	Austflight ULA	Drifter	Rotax	503	A stick got caught in the rudder causing loss of directional control. When this was realised it was ...
A stick got caught in the rudder causing loss of directional control. When this was realised it was too late to brake resulting in the wing of the aircraft clipping a caravan. OUTCOME: This report has been reviewed and no further action is required. The damage to the rudder covering was replaced and repaired with products that are still available for this aircraft model and type. A detailed inspection of the structure was completed at this time.
15/1/2016	OCC0548	Sunshine Coast	QLD	PiperSport	Cruz	Rotax	912 ULS	Flight was a dual training navigation exercise. The flight planned route was from YBSU to YBAF to YB...
Flight was a dual training navigation exercise. The flight planned route was from YBSU to YBAF to YBSU. After the landing in YBAF, the nose began to vibrate slightly during braking but showed no signs of significant issues. An inspection and preflight was then carried out after the aircraft was parked at the terminal. Departing YBAF, there was no symptoms of nose wheel vibration especially during ground roll in take off. On arrival at YBSU the aircraft landed safely. While rolling on the runway both Instructor and student heard something fall out of the aircraft. Brakes were applied to put the aircraft into a halt and the aircraft nose wheel suddenly collapsed. OUTCOME: Maintainer confirmed that all compliance was met including all factory advisory notices. Crack or damage most likely due previous heavy landing.
14/1/2016	OCC0552	Ballarat	VIC	Tecnam	Bravo P2004 (LSA)	Rotax	912 ULS	Whilst making final approach at Ballarat Victoria, pilot joined mid-field crosswind for RWY18 giving...
Whilst making final approach at Ballarat Victoria, pilot joined mid-field crosswind for RWY18 giving a mid-field call joining right circuit for RWY18 then joined downwind. Pilot gave a base call and turned on final and noticed an aircraft holding on RWY23 and then made a radio call for "on final". When on short final, the pilot noticed an aircraft turn onto, and backtrack, on RWY18 after holding on RWY23. Pilot made three radio calls to advise that they were on short final and the aircraft then pulled over to the side of the runway facing the aircraft. Pilot continued on a long final and estimated that they touched down some 700 metres from the threshold and estimated that they crossed the threshold at 150 to 250 feet AGL. The communication issue may have been due to the aircraft recently having 100 hourly completed and the headset jacks may have been replaced in the wrong socket. OUTCOME: Assessment of the report reveals an issue with failure to confirm operational radio subsequent to service. Pilot appears aware of this issue. Other aircraft did not clear the approach for the runway prior to entering. Poor communication from one aircraft and failure to conduct see and avoid check from the other.
14/1/2016	OCC0860	Bankstown Airport	NSW	Aeroprakt	A22LS Foxbat	Rotax	912 ULS	The aircraft was tied down and YSBK had a weather event that produced high winds which caused the ae...
The aircraft was tied down and YSBK had a weather event that produced high winds which caused the aeroplane to flip on its back. OUTCOME: RAAus Operations reviewed the report. During a weather event at the aerodrome, the aircraft was flipped onto its back. No injuries were sustained.
12/1/2016	OCC0549	Gunnedah	NSW	Alpi Aviation	Pioneer 200	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Radiator on Rotax 912 ULS - aircraft is being rebuilt...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Radiator on Rotax 912 ULS - aircraft is being rebuilt after an engine fire with all components inspected, tested and replaced as necessary. As the radiator had been left with fire extinguisher powder on it, it was decided to have it cleaned and pressure tested in which it failed due to bad corrosion on the inside. Maintainer confirmed that there has always been the correct coolant in the radiator. It is suggested that the corrosion has occurred due to no electrical contact (i.e. earth wire) being present between the radiator and the engine with the possibility of electrolysis creating the cause of the corrosion. Technical department investigating further. OUTCOME: Technical department reviewed report and refers maintainers to the ROTAX 'System of Maintenance' which is the manual that covers all requirements for servicing and maintenance.