Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
21/3/2017	OCC0969	Cutters Field Abergowrie	QLD	Skyfox	CA22	Rotax	UL912 80 hp	Contaminated fuel caused EFOTO. Pilot proceeded with an out landing fuel drained Carby bowls cleaned...
Contaminated fuel caused EFOTO. Pilot proceeded with an out landing fuel drained Carby bowls cleaned and found water in Carby bowls. Proceeded with restart did run up checks all systems ok returned to airstrip. Pilots are reminded of the importance of ensuring pre-flight checks are thoroughly conducted particularly in regard to the presence of possible contaminates in fuel.
21/3/2017	OCC0970	Abergowrie	QLD	Skyfox	CA22	Rotax	UL912 80 hp	Contaminated fuel caused EFOTO. Pilot proceeded with an out landing fuel drained Carby bowls cleaned...
Contaminated fuel caused EFOTO. Pilot proceeded with an out landing fuel drained Carby bowls cleaned and found water in Carby bowls. Proceeded with restart did run up checks all systems ok returned to airstrip. Pilots are reminded of the importance of ensuring pre-flight checks are thoroughly conducted particularly in regard to the presence of possible contaminates in fuel.
20/3/2017	OCC0966	Bunbury	WA	Evektor	Sportstar Plus	Rotax	912 ULS	A Pilot was on a solo cross country exercise arrived at YBUN for a touch and go. They did a go aroun...
A Pilot was on a solo cross country exercise arrived at YBUN for a touch and go. They did a go around due to bumpy conditions on short finals. On the second approach the pilot was in the flare near the ground and experienced drift to the left and some turbulence. They attempted to go around again. The aircraft yawed to the left and started rolling towards the trees. The pilot attempted to roll to the right but the aircraft continued to bank to the left and entered the trees approximately 20m from the RWY strip. Outcome: The qualified pilot certificate holder was on his first solo Navex under supervision of the CFI and a touch and go at Bunbury was included in this plan. All weather was assessed and reviewed prior to flight departure. All flight decision making and operations were reviewed and subsequently debriefed as acceptable. The accident was the result of loss of control at low airspeed due to control management and the effect of the prevailing conditions at the aerodrome were also a contributing factor. The pilot has not returned to active operations at this time but will undertake appropriate refresher training in this area prior to any further command flight.
19/3/2017	OCC0972	2nm NE Murray Field Airport	WA	Fly Synthesis	Storch HS J	Jabiru	2200A	After operating normally, for approximately 40 minutes, the aircraft engine began to run roughly. Th...
After operating normally, for approximately 40 minutes, the aircraft engine began to run roughly. This occurred at 3000ft, in an almost clear sky. The temperature at the time and altitude was estimated to be 18 degrees Celsius, and there had been no rain since the previous day, but carburettor icing was suspected as the problem. The pilot applied carburettor heat, and worked the throttle but the problem persisted. The pilot advised traffic at YMUL that the aircraft had engine problems and was making a straight in approach on RWY 23. The engine continued to run roughly, and at around 400ft on final there was mild vibration and the engine stopped completely. Two brief attempts to restart were unsuccessful, and an engine-out landing on the runway was carried out without further incident. Some 15 minutes after landing the engine was restarted and performed normally. After conducting a fuel drain check the engine was run up and checked at various power settings without any signs of rough running. A test flight was conducted with a climb to 3500ft over YMUL, without problem. The pilot then departed YMUL for YSEN 7nm away. A normal powered approach and landing was made at YSEN. OUTCOME: Carburettor icing continues to be a factor in many partial and total engine failures but is not easily identified in subsequent mechanical investigations due to lack of physical evidence. Use of suitable heat control systems may not be sufficient by the time the symptoms become evident to the pilot and therefore pilots need to be vigilant wherever the possibility not just the likelihood of icing conditions are present. Visible moisture is one constant required for any possibility of carby ice forming and in Australia transitional seasonal periods of high humidity and decreasing temperatures often occur between March and June which can increase the likelihood of potential icing conditions even when not forecast.
17/3/2017	OCC0977	Deniliquin	NSW	Jabiru	J230D	Jabiru	3300	The engine started to run rough approximately 8NM from Deniliquin and subsequently failed on approac...
The engine started to run rough approximately 8NM from Deniliquin and subsequently failed on approach to the airfield. OUTCOME: Initial inspection by L1 maintainer has shown that the engine has lost a valve and seat. Due to aircraft being an LSA the engine has been sent to the manufacturer, along with copies of the log books/ The owner is awaiting to hear from the manufacturer the outcome of the engine tear down inspection.
14/3/2017	OCC0962	Paradise Dam	QLD	Seamax	M22	Rotax	912 ULS	The aircraft touched down on the water at the correct speed and attitude with a slightly high vertic...
The aircraft touched down on the water at the correct speed and attitude with a slightly high vertical speed. It remained on top of the water normally for approx. three seconds and then had a high deceleration and rotated forward coming to rest inverted. OUTCOME: On investigation it was identified that the aircraft has had a number of previous wheel up landing incidents, which were reported to RAAus. This incidents however were not logged into the airframe logbook. Therefore it is feasible that the previous repair after a wheel up landing that may have failed during this landing occasion. Members are reminded to ensure that appropriate information regarding incidents is also logged into aircraft logbooks.
11/3/2017	OCC0963	Sunshine Coast Airport	QLD	Jabiru	J170	Jabiru	2200B	Having been cleared for take-off on RWY 18 with instructions to make left turn, the pilot commenced ...
Having been cleared for take-off on RWY 18 with instructions to make left turn, the pilot commenced the left turn. During the turn the pilot was distracted with a radio squelch issue, and rather than intercept the southbound track, continued in the left turn whilst trying to sort the radio out. The pilot then realised at the same time that the tower queried, that they were heading in the wrong direction and advised the tower they would continue turning left and set course overhead. The pilot apologised to the controller who then cleared the aircraft and directed it to the first reporting point, and the aircraft departed the Control zone. OUTCOME: Due to the pilot's distraction with the radio, he did not follow the departure instructions of the controller, resulting in a non-standard departure. The pilot self identified the factors and provided analysis of his actions to prevent recurrence.
11/3/2017	OCC1077	Bendigo Airport	VIC	Tecnam	P92 Echo Super	Rotax	912 ULS	The pilot inadvertently left the throttle of the aircraft in the full throttle position after a thro...
The pilot inadvertently left the throttle of the aircraft in the full throttle position after a throttle linkage check operation for any chaffing or cable movement damage. The aircraft engine started and the aircraft immediately moved rapidly forward on the hanger taxiway for a distance of about 40 metres, the left wing clipped the sliding door of a hanger. The aircraft then speared unintentionally left until the three blade Bolly propeller struck the hanger sliding door. The aircraft continued on a left rotation and further struck the tip of the right wing. The aircraft was immediately turned off by the pilot and the pilot disembarked. The pilot was unhurt and no further damage occurred. OUTCOME: The pilot has completed an additional flight review and the protocol for checking throttle linkage security has been revised to prevent a recurrence.
10/3/2017	OCC0960	The Oaks	NSW	Spectrum Aircraft	Drifter Fisher Mk I Sport	Rotax	503DCDI	Fatal Accident involving RAAus member. RAAus Accident consultants are assisting police in determinin...
Fatal Accident involving RAAus member. RAAus Accident consultants are assisting police in determining the causal factors that led to the accident. See the RAAus Special ENews at the following link for more information https://www.vision6.com.au/em/message/email/view.php?id=1279161&u=70000&k=_uiB8JscDth9gKUD83GvJE-qEUW8ByH_1HmjOZ7Y3XY
9/3/2017	OCC0952	Lismore	NSW	Jabiru	230 D	Jabiru	3300A	While turning through 180 degrees to vacate the RWY to let RPT land, a wind gust caused a large radi...
While turning through 180 degrees to vacate the RWY to let RPT land, a wind gust caused a large radius turn causing the aircraft to leave the sealed surface by a metre where it hit a soft patch of ground. This resulted in a nose wheel sink followed by a prop strike. OUTCOME: While attempting to clear the runway for an inbound RPT, the aircraft did not turn as expected due to a strong crosswind and the pilot did not manage the aircraft resulting in running off the runway and a propeller strike.
8/3/2017	OCC0949	Gympie	QLD	Evictor	Sportstar	Rotax	912 ULS	A student was conducting solo training circuits on RWY14 when another aircraft backtracked very slow...
A student was conducting solo training circuits on RWY14 when another aircraft backtracked very slowly so they extended downwind. The second aircraft then lined up and started then stopped several times on the runway as the student was on approach. The student was concerned that that the second aircraft would collide with them if they went around so they carried out an Orbit at 1300 AMSL (1000 AGL). Whilst conducting the orbit the student lost their reference and tracked slightly NW, they decided to climb to 2000 AMSL to keep at a safe altitude. The student was guided back to the RWY and landed without issue. OUTCOME: Spatial orientation and lost procedures were reviewed between CFI and pilot following this event.
5/3/2017	OCC0945	Gawler Airfield	SA	FK Light Planes	FK 9 ELA SW	Rotax	912 UL	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: The control tunnel and aileron control cover are able...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: The control tunnel and aileron control cover are able to be distorted with baggage in the baggage compartment, leading to restricted movement of the elevator control. This has the potential to cause restricted elevator travel if the baggage in the compartment move in flight, as both the covers are unsupported at the intersection. OUTCOME: Following consultation with the distributor, a fix is to install an internal angle riveted to the control tunnel and attached to the aileron control cover with metal thread screws. In the interim the baggage compartment has been placarded that no baggage is to be carried in the compartment and a corresponding entry on the Maintenance Release. .
4/3/2017	OCC0946	Tanunda	SA	Jabiru	J160	Camit Aero	22SLRE	During flight at approximately 4000ft, a drone was spotted slightly right flying towards the aircraf...
During flight at approximately 4000ft, a drone was spotted slightly right flying towards the aircraft missing their starboard side by less than 20m as it passed, the tell-tale green light on the pod underneath could be seen. The pilot and PAX agreed it was a drone. When first spotted the pilot thought it was an eagle, so banked slightly left. Its appearance when passing was of a dark shaded flying wing, with curved end winglets facing down, having the green pod central underneath. The aircraft landed safely with no further incident. OUTCOME: de-identified information forward to CASA office for monitoring of drone activity affecting RAAus aircraft operations. RAAus will continue to monitor reports regarding near misses with drones and RAAus aircraft.
4/3/2017	OCC0957	Tumut	NSW	Ragwing	Stork	Honda	D16 A VTEC	A new motor propeller combination was set to 2300 RPM as per manufacturer specifications, reducing p...
A new motor propeller combination was set to 2300 RPM as per manufacturer specifications, reducing pitch by 1 degree from the last flight on propeller. A ground run was completed and take off with 10 degree of flap. Take-off was uneventful but the aircraft would not climb out of ground effects. By the time the pilot had realised that 100-150ft was the maximum climb it was too late to land back at the airfield. The aircraft continued straight ahead at full power and no climb at about 35kts with stall about 30kts. The pilot attempted to turn E and follow low country and retracted flaps to try an increase speed. The aircraft started to descend at full power and the pilot conducted an emergency landing in a field between poplar trees, over main road and power lines, with limited landing run as there were with trees at end of the paddock. The aircraft cleared the power lines by 5-8m at full power with high angle of incident sitting in rear of cockpit which made it difficult to see landing area. Once the aircraft was over the wires, the pilot throttled back for landing however this resulted in an instant stall from approximately 15-20m with impact to ground with the main gear and then propeller. OUTCOME: The Technical Manager discussed the incident with the member who suffered serious injuries. The pilot indicated that he had learnt some lessons and made a few incorrect assumptions regarding the engine and the aircraft. No pull testing was conducted prior with the new engine combination and with the pilot having limited flight hours on the aircraft they were unable to tell subtle differences in performance in flight testing. The pilot has written an article regarding the lessons that they learnt from this accident which will be published in the RAAus Safety Booklet issued to all members in October 2017.
4/3/2017	OCC0961	Devonport airport	TAS	Avid Aircraft	Mark Iv	Rotax	912 UL	Fatal Accident involving RAAus member. RAAus Accident consultants are assisting police in determinin...
Fatal Accident involving RAAus member. RAAus Accident consultants are assisting police in determining the causal factors that led to the accident. See the RAAus Special ENews at the following link for more information https://www.vision6.com.au/em/message/email/view.php?id=1279161&u=70000&k=_uiB8JscDth9gKUD83GvJE-qEUW8ByH_1HmjOZ7Y3XY Non-inquest Coronial findings: The pilot was killed when the ultralight Avid Flyer aircraft he was flying at Devonport Airport crashed shortly after take-off. A pilot who witnessed the plane take off described the aircraft as immediately unstable. The witness described the aircraft as going from a nose altitude of high to almost level and said the aircraft was "moving around a lot" and that it "seemed very floppy". The witness then saw Mr Knight's aircraft with a steep nose down trajectory drop dramatically into a position with the nose down somewhere between 40 and 60°. He described seeing the aircraft plummet to the ground from a height of less than 150 feet. The Coroner concluded: "I am satisfied to the requisite legal standard that the crash occurred as a consequence of a failure on the part of the pilot to properly attach a flight control. As a consequence within a matter of seconds after taking off the pilot lost control of his aircraft and it plummeted into the ground causing his almost instantaneous death." "The circumstances of the pilots death are not such as to require me to make any comments or recommendations pursuant to Section 28 of the Coroners Act 1995." https://www.magistratescourt.tas.gov.au/about_us/coroners/coronial_findings