Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
26/11/2015	OCC0522	Bundaberg Airport	QLD	Jabiru	J200	Jabiru	3300A	Reported that damage had occurred to a hanger had appeared overnight and a damaged aircraft parked a...
Reported that damage had occurred to a hanger had appeared overnight and a damaged aircraft parked a short distance away. OUTCOME: Investigation found RAAus pilot had run into hangar overnight due to unsafe operation of the aircraft. Damage to hangar has been compensated through third party property damage insurance. Due to the lack of communication with the pilot their pilot certificate has been suspended until further contact has been made.
24/11/2015	OCC0512	Busselton Regional	WA	Evektor	Sportstar	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Rudder Hinge Bearings - Both bearings seized with inn...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Rudder Hinge Bearings - Both bearings seized with inner spherical part rotating on shank of fixture. That is upper bearing inner part relies on friction of bullet nosed in pin attached to rudder spar, and the lower bearing inner part us secured by castellated nut on retention in lower part of rudder. Apart from being shiny where inner part of bearing was rotating on shanks, no wear step was evident. Due to being located in a recess no measurement for wear could be ascertained on the top pin. The lower beating centre however can be nipped by tightening the castellated nut. Bearings were cleaned of dried grease, readily freed, followed by application of a light grease and rudder reinstalled. Duplicated inspection of rudder control system will be carried out on completion of maintenance to rudder cables. OUTCOME: Evektor are aware that some Nicopress clamps were not sufficiently pressed during manufacture. They have released a Safety Alert Mandatory Bulletin SportStar – 017a SR to cover this anomaly and require a report back to them if additional defects are identified (refer Appendix 2 Item 7).
24/11/2015	OCC0486	Gympie	QLD	Aeroprakt Foxbat	A22LS	Rotax	912 ULS	The student pilot was assigned a training area solo exercise that was to finish with a short session...
The student pilot was assigned a training area solo exercise that was to finish with a short session of circuits. The student had already completed approximately 4hrs solo during his training to date. On returning from the training area the first touch and go landing was uneventful. During the second approach, the student was observed to balloon during the flare to land. The aircraft entered a high rate of sink and yawed slightly to the right. As no attempt to arrest the sink rate with power (and / or) go around was initiated - the supervising instructor made a broadcast on the radio to the student advising him to add power immediately. This was not done and the aircraft impacted the ground heavily on the left main gear and nose gear simultaneously. The force of the impact caused the nose gear to collapse and the left wing to momentarily contact the runway. The aircraft came to rest upright and sitting on it's nose. The pilot exited the aeroplane un-injured. The supervising instructor attended the aeroplane immediately and turned off the fuel and electrics. OUTCOME: CFI has briefed student pilot and conducting further training
23/11/2015	OCC0519	Busselton Regional	WA	Evektor	Sportstar	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Throttle Control Assembly P/No. E6-06 02 21B; operate...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Throttle Control Assembly P/No. E6-06 02 21B; operates two Bowden cables to throttle levers on twin Bing carburettors. Cable to operate LH carburettor kinked in aluminium barrel of throttle assembly preventing LH throttle lever on carburettor from opening to full throttle and while the RH carburettor achieved full throttle against the max stop. OUTCOME: Aircraft grounded until new throttle assembly obtained and fitted. Full mechanical synchronization, followed by pneumatic synchronization to be performed in accordance with the Rotax Maintenance Manual.
22/11/2015	OCC0520	Moorabbin Airport	VIC	Aeroprakt	A22LS Foxbat	Rotax	912 ULS	Pilot had requested RWY22 and stopped on the right place. Pilot made a radio call to request taxi to...
Pilot had requested RWY22 and stopped on the right place. Pilot made a radio call to request taxi to apron. The ground told pilot to hold shark RWY17R and thought RWY17R was further front so started to move forward. At that point ground stated that the aircraft was in the middle of the RWY17R and asked for the aircraft to move faster and taxi to apron. OUTCOME: Instructor sent pilot solo on the day of the event and had conducted a dual flight check with the student in the Moorabbin Airport circuit. This was not the first solo flight for student pilot who has been briefed before on Moorabbin taxiing procedures. Operations has reviewed report and school follow up and assessment satisfactory.
22/11/2015	OCC0485	Moorabbin Airport	VIC	Aeroprakt	AP22	Rotax	912 ULS	Pilot requested to use RWY22 and stopped in the right place and made the radio call. The ground told...
Pilot requested to use RWY22 and stopped in the right place and made the radio call. The ground told the pilot to hold short on RWY17R so the pilot stopped. At that time the pilot was thinking that RWY17R was further front and proceeded forward until they saw the holding point and stopped. The ground made the radio call to the pilot and explained that the aircraft was in the middle of the RWY17R and to move faster and taxi to apron. OUTCOME: CFI has taken appropriate actions to mitigate further risk from this student and retraining in CTA procedures will be undertaken by school for this student.
19/11/2015	OCC0570	Lake Charm	VIC	ICP	Savannah	Rotax	912 UI	Aircraft was flown without owner's permission. During the flight the aircraft was severely damaged h...
Aircraft was flown without owner's permission. During the flight the aircraft was severely damaged however the accident was not observed by the aircraft owner. Aircraft has severe damage which suggests it has had impact with the ground. No injury to pilot. Pilot stated on take-off run the aircraft became airborne but failed to climb normally and the resultant path was insufficient to clear power line obstacles at the upwind end and in attempted manoeuvring by the pilot the aircraft's wing tip struck a fence post with further impact damage occurring prior to coming to rest. The available runway was deemed sufficient at 700m and the pilot did not indicate conditions at the time contributed to the accident. Pilot also advised he had operated from the same locations many times and in company with a local CFI as well. There were some concerns expressed by the pilot that power was observed to reduce following separation but no indication of any attempt to abort the take off were advised. OUTCOME: This is classified as a runway loss of Control (R-LOC) in the take-off phase of flight. Aircraft failed to reach appropriate Take Off Safety Speed due to pilot mishandling. The pilot failed to attain suitable flight parameters for appropriate climb performance within the take-off distance available resulting in impact with obstacles in the flight path. Pilot has advised purchase of a Terrier recreational aircraft and that they will undertake appropriate type training and review prior to command flight in this aircraft. No flight activity has been undertaken since this incident to date.
17/11/2015	OCC0488	Murray Field	WA	Jabiru	J120-C LSA	Jabiru	2200	On approach to RWY09 and during overfly the pilot was unable to see the wind sock. Pilot approach an...
On approach to RWY09 and during overfly the pilot was unable to see the wind sock. Pilot approach and landed at RWY09, felt tail wheel on runway and applied brakes as it was too late for full throttle to go-around and overshot runway. Pilot felt the brakes fail. Burns offs in a number of locations in WA caused smoke to be low lying. Pilot exited aeroplane after shutdown and removed aircraft from air strip. OUTCOME: Ops spoke to pilot on initial report. Pilot failed to judge landing correctly and elected to over run rather than go-around and possibly hit power lines. NFA required by Ops.
16/11/2015	OCC0490	Lake Charm	VIC	Savannah	Classic	Rotax	912 80 HP	Aircraft was flown without owner's permission. During the flight the aircraft was severely damaged h...
Aircraft was flown without owner's permission. During the flight the aircraft was severely damaged however the accident was not observed by the aircraft owner. Aircraft has severe damage which suggests it has had impact with the ground. No injury to pilot. Pilot stated on take-off run the aircraft became airborne but failed to climb normally and the resultant path was insufficient to clear power line obstacles at the upwind end and in attempted manoeuvring by the pilot the aircraft's wing tip struck a fence post with further impact damage occurring prior to coming to rest. The available runway was deemed sufficient at 700m and the pilot did not indicate conditions at the time contributed to the accident. Pilot also advised he had operated from the same locations many times and in company with a local CFI as well. There were some concerns expressed by the pilot that power was observed to reduce following separation but no indication of any attempt to abort the take off were advised. OUTCOME: The pilot failed to attain suitable flight parameters for appropriate climb performance within the take-off distance available resulting in impact with obstacles in the flight path. Pilot has advised purchase of a Terrier recreational aircraft and has advised he will undertake appropriate type training and review prior to command flight in this aircraft. No flight activity has been undertaken since this incident to date.
11/11/2015	OCC0482	Scone	NSW	Jabiru	J160	Jabiru	22A 4cyl	At 3500' AMSL the engine started to vibrate and lost substantial power. Pilot applied carburettor he...
At 3500' AMSL the engine started to vibrate and lost substantial power. Pilot applied carburettor heat, fuel boost pump and full throttle but continued to lose height at the rate of about 500fpm. At about 800' AGL pilot activated the PLB and landed in a suitable paddock. AMSAR contacted pilot by phone where the circumstances were explained and pilot advised that no assistance was required. OUTCOME: ATSB in consultation with CASA, RAAus and Jabiru conducted an engine tear down of this engine to identify the causal factors for the engines failure. Information pertaining to the ATSB report is available at https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2015/aair/ae-2015-137/
9/11/2015	OCC0479	Rokewood Shelford Road - Warranbeen Property	VIC	Tecnam	P92 Eaglet	Rotax	912 100hp	Aircraft had taken off from Lethbridge Airpark and was flying around the training area for approxima...
Aircraft had taken off from Lethbridge Airpark and was flying around the training area for approximately 1.5 hrs when the engine lost power back to idle. PIC pushed the throttle completely in (full throttle) however the power did not increase. Pilot pulled the throttle back out and then back in to full throttle again however still there was no change in power. Pilot then turned the fuel tap for the right tank off and then back on and repeated the same for the left fuel tank - at this point the engine stopped completely. Pilot turned the ignition key off and then on again in an attempt to restart the engine but the engine did not restart. Pilot attempted to land on a dirt road within a paddock and, on landing, the left main wheel struck a rock which caused the aircraft to slip sideways into a wire fence. OUTCOME: All landing gears had been broken and there was some damage to left wing and dent in fuselage. Nil injuries sustained by pilot. After inspection of the recovered aircraft it appears that the fuel was the cause. An inspection found contamination in the fuel system. The airfield owner has since fitted a strainer/ filter to the bulk supply onsite however the aircraft was written-off by the insurance company.
8/11/2015	OCC0475	Bordertown	SA	Jabiru	J230	Jabiru	3300	At 6500' engine misfired then began to run rough. All temps and pressures good. Plenty of fuel. Pilo...
At 6500' engine misfired then began to run rough. All temps and pressures good. Plenty of fuel. Pilot lowered power settings however engine clatter experienced and engine came to an abrupt stop. 'Mayday' call conducted on area frequency which was acknowledged with request to activate ident and EPIRB. MEL CTR acknowledged position and asked intentions. Pilot maintained look out, left radio on and radioed through that that they had located a good paddock not far from bitumen road and homestead and would land there after performing final checks as per manual. Relatively uneventful landing in paddock with cut hay. Nil injuries. Pilot called Area Freq saying all ok. Within about 5 minutes a plane circled and pilot indicated all ok. Emergency services arrived on scene however found it difficult to locate aircraft due to poor mobile reception. OUTCOME: As this aircraft/ engine is an LSA the responsibility is with the manufacturer and owner. CASA are working to address the number of engine failures reported with this type of engine and have implemented an instrument to reduce the risk identified. The Instrument will be reviewed in July 2016.
7/11/2015	OCC0474	Walcha Airstrip	NSW	Thruster	Gemini	Rotax	582 ULDCDI99	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Undercarriage support beam breaking on landing throug...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Undercarriage support beam breaking on landing through inner wheel spring mounting hole on right side of aircraft, and causing right main undercarriage wheel to fold up under the weight of the aircraft during the landing roll. OUTCOME: This is a known failure point. In the later models the aircraft has a different structure to stiffen this area. Recommend aircraft incorporate new style of beam to strengthen this area.
7/11/2015	OCC0484	Gawler Airfield	SA	Jabiru	J170D	Jabiru	22B	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Aircraft flying in the circuit had just taken off aga...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Aircraft flying in the circuit had just taken off again when the rudder became ineffective. Pilot was unable to turn right however was able to conducted a landing on a suitable runway available to aircraft turning left only. Aircraft landed safely. OUTCOME: Aircraft has been fitted with a new rudder control cable and the aircraft is flying again. See Jabiru Service Letter: Rudder Cable End JSL019 for information from the manufacturer on further information about inspection of this defect. http://jabiru.net.au/images/JSL019-2_Rudder_cable_end_inspect.pdf
4/11/2015	OCC0478	Roma	QLD	Tecnam	P92 Eaglet	Rotax	912	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Engine vibrated badly just after take-off and failed ...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Engine vibrated badly just after take-off and failed to produce take-off power. Aircraft landed safely. OUTCOME: Maintainer inspected and engine inspected with leak down test and carburettor inspection however no fault found. Possibly caused by heat causing vapour lock in section of fuel line on top of engine to left hand carburettor.