Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
2/2/2016	OCC0561	Moruya	NSW	Skyfox	Gazelle	Rotax	912A	Whilst Gazelle was conducting circuit operations on RWY18 at Moruya, with wind at 180 degrees at app...
Whilst Gazelle was conducting circuit operations on RWY18 at Moruya, with wind at 180 degrees at approximately 10 kt, a Foxbat had taken off and departed the circuit from RWY22. After approximately 30 minutes, and continued circuit operations on RWY18 by Gazelle, Foxbat re-entered the circuit for circuit operations on RWY22. Whilst both aircraft were able to maintain reasonable separation, parachute operations were also being conducted with airfield landings. In one instance when Gazelle had landed, and taken off again from RWY18, all aircraft were notified by radio that canopies were in the circuit area for airfield landings. Foxbat proceeded to radio intentions of right hand orbits from late downwind RWY22, in the left hand pattern, contrary to circuit pattern. In doing theses right hand orbits, Foxbat was directly orbiting in the line of the Gazelle operating RWY18, on their crosswind leg. A radio call was made to Foxbat to ensure they were still aware of our continued left hand circuits on RWY18, which granted a reply that they had us in sight, followed by a request that we make low level crosswind and downwind, in order to avoid their right hand orbits. These right hand orbits made air proximity quite close, and unnecessary in a left hand pattern. The change in wind direction at approximately 10:45 local, to ESE, also placed the Foxbat conducting circuit operations downwind, also putting them in close proximity to the landing parachutes as they landed on RWY22. OUTCOME: As this event appears to have resulted from two aircraft using different runways, despite being established in the circuit, and confusion from conducting of orbits for spacing, recommended the instigation of a Joint Operations Advisory Panel involving all operators at the aerodrome, to resolve these issues at a local level and establish commonly understood practices.
30/1/2016	OCC0560	Caboolture	QLD	The Aeroplane Factory	Sling	Rotax	912	Immediately after lift off the aircraft startled a Magpie Lark (Grallinacyanoleuca) which struck a g...
Immediately after lift off the aircraft startled a Magpie Lark (Grallinacyanoleuca) which struck a glancing blow to the right side of the aircraft canopy. No damage to aircraft. OUTCOME: Overnight rain resulted in the runway being soft and more attractive to foraging birds. The dismal weather forecast for the day meant the airfield was much quieter than usual so there have not been any regular traffic to displace the wildlife.
28/1/2016	OCC0559	Wollongong Airport	NSW	Jabiru	J-170	Jabiru	2200B	After a dual check with an instructor pilot commenced a series of touch and go circuits, on the last...
After a dual check with an instructor pilot commenced a series of touch and go circuits, on the last landing the pilot applied the brakes to commence slowing down. There was an audible "pop" sound followed by complete loss of brake pressure and braking effect. The pilot successfully completed the rollout, pulled off onto the grass verge and rolled to a stop with no damage to the aircraft. OUTCOME: Subsequent checking of the aircraft showed that cable ties, securing the brake lines to the undercarriage leg had broken, allowing the brake lines to be pulled out of position during flight leading to a kink in the brake line. A pre-landing brake check had shown normal pressure on the brake lever. When the brakes where applied after landing, the brake line had failed at the kink causing total loss of braking. The cable ties securing the brake lines were found to be brittle, probably from UV exposure. The aircraft is not hangared. The operator will check and replace all other exposed cable ties.
27/1/2016	OCC0891	7NM NW of Atherton Airfield	QLD	Tecnam	P92	Rotax	912 USL	Approximately 7NM NW of Atherton, the pilot was startled by a loud bang to the left wing and glanced...
Approximately 7NM NW of Atherton, the pilot was startled by a loud bang to the left wing and glanced across to see what they believe to be a bird wing disappearing underneath the aircraft wing. The aircraft performed normally, there was no option for an emergency landing so the pilot continued on to Atherton. OUTCOME: The pilot has lodged a bird strike report. This is the first report of a bird strike in this area reported to RAAus. ERSA for area highlights bird and animal hazards exists in this area.
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.