Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
2/1/2016	OCC0541	Archerfield	QLD	The Airplane Factory	Sling 2	Rotax	912 IS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Coolant hose just below engine developed a leak and c...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Coolant hose just below engine developed a leak and coolant was noticed dripping onto tarmac after flight. OUTCOME: After inspection of the leak it appeared as though the coolant hose had touched the exhaust and subsequently caused slight burn marks and weakened. The hose was subsequently wrapped in a bit of insulation, (making it hard to see the burn mark) to keep it from the exhaust however eventually the hose developed a hole and leaked behind the wrapping
31/12/2015	OCC0607	Portland	VIC	Jabiru	J170-C	Jabiru	2200	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Oil leak detected on top if #4 cylinder at crank case...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Oil leak detected on top if #4 cylinder at crank case interface. Bulk Strip by L2 confirmed crank case fretting on 3 crankshaft bearing. OUTCOME: Rectification via engineering methods and upgrading of components. No issue with this type of engine.
31/12/2015	OCC0534	Bundaberg Airport	QLD	Jabiru	SP2200	Jabiru	2200	When approaching the airport, to overfly at 1600 feet to join the circuit, the engine began to run r...
When approaching the airport, to overfly at 1600 feet to join the circuit, the engine began to run roughly. After approximately 10 seconds there was a loud bang and the engine ran smoothly but with limited power. A successful landing was conducted with no damage to airframe or injuries to crew. OUTCOME: A later examination of the engine showed that the No.4 piston had disintegrated causing extensive damage to the cylinder and block.
30/12/2015	OCC0532	Boonah	QLD	FK Lightplanes	FK9 ELA SW	Rotax	912 S	Routine circuit with intention of touch and go practice in crosswind. On downwind the wind turbulenc...
Routine circuit with intention of touch and go practice in crosswind. On downwind the wind turbulence was unpleasant and an aircraft was still back tracking RWY22. Pilot decided to do a full stop on turning downwind the second time and made subsequent radio calls. On final Pilot focused on landing with the left main wheel into the wind and airspeed 65 knots. Pilot rounded out and flared the aircraft which experienced sink and possibly windshear resulting in the aircraft landed firmly and then ballooned. On the second touch the aircraft landed in three points, placing excessive pressure on the nosewheel causing the fork to bend back and wheel spat to break the tail piece (of which penetrated the fibreglass under carriage slightly) immediately above its normal position. OUTCOME: Damage to aircraft was the result of nose wheel fork bent and wheel spat broken into three pieces. Contributing Factors was the pilot focusing on landing on left main wheel into the crosswind and not 'flying the aircraft', perhaps flared a fraction late. Windshear may have contributed as it was gusting 0 to 15 knots and after ballooning pilot should have maintained more stick back. Pilot conducted additional practice with CFI in crosswind landings.
27/12/2015	OCC0530	White Gum Farm Airport	WA	Airborne Windsports	XT-912-B	Rotax	912 UL	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: During a pre-flight inspection it was noticed that #3...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: During a pre-flight inspection it was noticed that #3 exhaust pipe was cracked close to the cylinder head. The crack extended for 3/4 of the diameter of the pipe. As there has been no impact on the pipe it appears to be a stress crack that appeared during the last flight several days earlier. The pipe is quite long and there is a reasonable amount of torque placed upon it by the weight of the muffler (located on the other side of the engine). OUTCOME: Uncommon occurrence and seems that the exhaust pipe may have a twist loading on it coupled with vibration from the engine. There was no evidence of 'copper coat' on the junctions. Exhaust pipe was replaced.
27/12/2015	OCC0531	Caboolture	QLD	Sling	2	Rotax	912	Whilst performing touch and go landings aircraft struck a bird on rotation on the fifth take-off. Pi...
Whilst performing touch and go landings aircraft struck a bird on rotation on the fifth take-off. Pilot continued the takeoff as the aircraft was still flying normally and conducted the following circuit, without moving the flaps, and made normal landing. OUTCOME: On inspection of the aircraft it was found that the bird struck the underside of the fuselage however caused no visible damage to the aircraft.
26/12/2015	OCC0533	King Ash Bay	NT	Jabiru	J160	Jabiru	2200A	Landing on dirt strip 6 to 7 knot crosswind and a gust of wind blew the aircraft to the right side o...
Landing on dirt strip 6 to 7 knot crosswind and a gust of wind blew the aircraft to the right side of the strip. As the aircraft touched down the right main wheel sunk on soft dirt which damaged the undercarriage. Pilot tried to steer plane to the left and as the plane came to rest it dipped forward and the right wing tip hit the ground. OUTCOME: Damage to the undercarriage and the right wing tip of aircraft due to crosswind and hitting soft ground.
20/12/2015	OCC0523	Narrabri	NSW	Evektor	Sportstar	Rotax	912	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Fuselage mounting structure for right hand undercarri...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Fuselage mounting structure for right hand undercarriage - yoke assembly cracked and damaged. OUTCOME: Current LAME liaising with Evektor. Company have sent out new box section to address this failure. Structural failure due to design fault combined with a heavy landing some time in its history.
20/12/2015	OCC0516	Private airfield	QLD	Savannah	XL VG	Rotax	912	On approach landing aircraft encountered a wind-sheer (severe turbulence) losing altitude at 10 mete...
On approach landing aircraft encountered a wind-sheer (severe turbulence) losing altitude at 10 meters and contacting ground, aircraft was at full power and elevator applied. OUTCOME: Pilot was accustomed to conducting flat long approaches and on the day in question the conditions were changing with a developing sea breeze interacting with thermic conditions and exaggerating turbulence. Pilot approach speed was appropriate for zero flap setting. This was the second approach of the flight. Likely cause: Continuation of approach in identified turbulent conditions resulting in Loss of control in landing phase (R-LOC). Contributing factors: Surrounding terrain and cane crop, lack of secondary windsock and configuration in landing.
19/12/2015	OCC0527	Coffs Harbour	NSW	Jabiru	J170-C	Jabiru	J2200	Loss of comms by pilot on approach to Coffs Harbour aerodrome. Comms required for contact with Class...
Loss of comms by pilot on approach to Coffs Harbour aerodrome. Comms required for contact with Class D controller. Problem could not be replicated on the ground by the CFI and Instructor. Possibly due to incorrect volume setting or wrong frequency setting. OUTCOME: Operations reviewed report no further action required.
15/12/2015	OCC0529	Yarram	VIC	IPC	Savannah	Rotax	912 ULS	Flying at 4000ft, pilot conducted an aerobatic manoeuvre. The aircraft is not rated and the pilot is...
Flying at 4000ft, pilot conducted an aerobatic manoeuvre. The aircraft is not rated and the pilot is not trained for these manoeuvres. It was a clear day with very little wind. The aircraft has been assessed for any possible overstress or damage. OUTCOME: Operations discussed actions with the pilot about conducting inappropriate manoeuvres without appropriate training and qualifications and ensuring the aircraft is approved and certified appropriately. Pilot is cognisant of the regulations and requirements and will seek further training as required.
11/12/2015	OCC0508	White Gum	WA	Airborne Windsports	XT-912-B	Rotax	912 UL	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Whilst conducting a BFR, and taxiing up a slight incl...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Whilst conducting a BFR, and taxiing up a slight incline, pilot/ instructor felt a bump near the RHS rear wheel and assumed it was a small rock. The taxi and subsequent flight/ landing continued with no further issues. A post flight inspection revealed that the disc brake assembly on the RHS wheel was considerably damaged. The lugs that ‘drive’ the disc appeared as sheared off. A closer inspection of the disc showed an area around one of the lugs that had evidence of localised heating. Further inspection of the sheared lug shows what appears to be a partial laser cut though the lug indicating that this is where the problem was initiated (all of the other lugs show clean shear). OUTCOME: Nil further action at this time. Technical department will monitor and will discuss with Australian manufacturer if other instances occur.
6/12/2015	OCC0505	Mt Beauty Airfield	VIC	Rans Inc	S-4 Coyote	Rotax	503	On take off pilot applied full power. Aircraft took off in heavy grass adjacent to the main strip an...
On take off pilot applied full power. Aircraft took off in heavy grass adjacent to the main strip and hit a slight dip which helped the aircraft to fly early with left rudder applied. Pilot attempted to fly out of the situation with the stick forward however the aircraft continued to head left. Pilot reduced power as left wing collided with stationary Cessna 182. Aircraft came to rest with damage to left wing and propeller. No injuries were sustained to the pilot. Aircraft on ground had damage to the right wing tip and wing strut. OUTCOME: The Rotax 2 stroke results in prop turning opposite to 912, so left rudder application is correct. Further discussion determined pilot may have applied opposite aileron (right) in an effort to manoeuvre away from parked aircraft, resulting in stall and subsequent impact. Alternative actions could have included closing the throttle forward stick to prevent early lift-off. Pilot had flown 3-4 hours immediately before to ensure proficiency. Pilot will complete a BFR with CFI.
6/12/2015	OCC0503	Caboolture	QLD	Airborne	XT 582 Outback	Rotax	582	Purpose of the flight was to tune the wing on a 2 stroke Airborne Merlin winged trike. Conditions we...
Purpose of the flight was to tune the wing on a 2 stroke Airborne Merlin winged trike. Conditions were fine with 8 kts straight down the main runway. All pre-flight checks were carried out before take off. Aircraft lift off was rapid and at about 400 ft. Pilot increased power to full maintaining that setting for a short time, and again decreasing power back from full power to carry out climb. About 800m past the end of the airfield (three to four minutes after take off), at 1200ft, pilot needed to climb to 1500ft so as to turn to the right. Pilot applied full power and approximately 4 seconds later the engine stopped. A forced landing was preformed back at the airfield. OUTCOME: Aircraft was inspected and engine has now been repaired. From the inspection is appeared the engine issues were due to a 'cold seizure'. The engine only had 40 h of operation. The pilot had conducted a run up prior to flight with all temps indicating normal. Full power was applied however the pilot backed off. After approximately 30 seconds, to about three quarters (to enable the pistons to expand), the water jacket was at a different temp which was slightly cooler than what it would have been if the pilot had kept full power. The pilot again added full power (for the pistons to expand again) however the water jacket was still cool. The pilot took the engine back once again to three quarters for a slightly longer time and then applied full power again when the engine seized. The engine has had a new piston replaced and is functioning well. The pilots reasoning for the 'on' and 'off' the throttle was due to their climb rate. It has been determined that the engine had a 'cold seizure' which at times can happen very early in a take off.
5/12/2015	OCC0509	Caboolture	QLD	Airborne	XT-912 Streak III Tourer	Rotax	912 UL	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: XT-912 Streak III left hand spat bracket was found to...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: XT-912 Streak III left hand spat bracket was found to be cracked when conducting a pre-flight inspection. As part of the pre-flight inspection, the left hand wheel spat was given a shake to confirm it's security where the spat bracket subsequently fractured. Subsequent inspection of the failed bracket revealed that it had pre-existing cracks, and that this pre-flight caused total failure of the component. OUTCOME: RAAus contacted manufacturer and highlighted defect reported and concern that this may be one of many defects that have occurred. Being part of the undercarriage assembly, the bracket is exposed to considerable vibration during the ground operation of flight (i.e. the taxi), particularly when operating off grass strips. Maintainer suggests the following inspection (prior to next flight) as a consideration: • One off inspection (and then aligned with the 100 hourly): 1. Physically give the wheel spat a vigour shake 2. Remove the wheel spat 3. Remove the wheel securing spat bracket 4. Inspect the bracket for cracks 5. Install the wheel securing spat bracket 6. Install the wheel spat 7. Update the maintenance log for incorporation of the SB • Pre-Flight Inspection: 1. Physically give the wheel spat a vigour shake 2. Listen for noises that would indicate a broken bracket or unrestrained movement of the wheel spat 3. Bend down and have a look for obvious cracking in the lower part of the Bracket that is visible