Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
24/9/2022	OCC2973	Port Lincoln Aerodrome	SA	Rainbow Aircraft (Skyreach)	Cheetah XLS	Jabiru	2200A	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Aircraft had just completed full annual inspection and engin...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Aircraft had just completed full annual inspection and engine service (200 hours TTAE) and was ready to be picked up. Engine run-ups were performed and T&P's checked. All seemed to be ok. Aircraft was topped with fuel and readied for departure. After taxi call, the aircraft was taxied to runway 06. Power up and take-off run was normal as expected. During the initial climb there was a sudden loss of power and the engine stopped. The pilot looked forward for a landing area but saw a small paddock with fences running across it. The glide path was going to end up in the fence. The pilot envisioned that they would be hitting the fence and flipping over. At that point they decided to return to the airport and land on the grass. The touchdown was successful and the aircraft was rolling out and slowing down OK, until they noticed a ditch across their path. The pilot was unable to avoid the ditch and the nose wheel landed in the ditch and broke, tipping the aircraft nose down and breaking the propeller. OUTCOME: An inspection conducted by an RAAus L2 (and LAME) identified that the engine was found to contain unknown foreign debris in cylinders 1 & 3 which caused a partial power loss on departure. The source of the debris was unable to be determined. Damage caused by the debris required replacement of 2 cylinders, pistons, and associated valves. Review of this occurrence also revealed the pilot did not hold a current BFR and was suspended from further flight until a BFR was completed.
21/9/2022	OCC3214	Portland Aerodrome	VIC	Jabiru	SK	Jabiru	2200A	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During landing the nose the touchdown was harder than expect...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During landing the nose the touchdown was harder than expected resulting in the nose wheel compressing causing a propeller strike on gravel runway surface. OUTCOME: Aircraft has been repaired in accordance with Jabiru technical manual and the pilot will be completing further coaching by an experienced Jabiru SK120 pilot.
20/9/2022	OCC2956	Lismore Aerodrome	NSW	Jabiru	160-C	Jabiru	2200 B	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During a period of circuits and just after touchdown prepari...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During a period of circuits and just after touchdown preparing for a touch and go, a gusting crosswind was experienced. The aircraft veered left and the right wing rose causing the propellor to tip the ground.
20/9/2022	OCC2959	Armidale Aerodrome	NSW	Jabiru	J200-B	Jabiru	3300A	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Whilst conducting CCTs as part of a BFR, the engine began t...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Whilst conducting CCTs as part of a BFR, the engine began to run rough, intermittent power/loss of power and on late final stopped altogether. Once landed the engine started and was taxied off the runway under its own power. Weather clear, easterly wind. Pre-flight checks were done including water check and that sufficient fuel for the exercise. During an investigation post incident, it was found that there was a small amount of water in the header tank. There was still a full header tank and at least 15 litres on fuel on board, indicating not a fuel starvation issue.
19/9/2022	OCC2961	Kilcoy Aerodrome	QLD	Flightstar	II	HKS	700T	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: A loss of control occurred on take-off, the pilot was unable ...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: A loss of control occurred on take-off, the pilot was unable to correct, and the aircraft veered to the left, resulting in significant damage to the aircraft and moderate injury to the pilot. RAAus investigation revealed the pilot was not the holder of a Recreational Pilot Certificate (RPC) and had only completed preliminary flight training as a student. A warning letter was issued to the student and they were required to cease all flight activity until a RPC was attained.
18/9/2022	OCC2980	Orchid Beach Aerodrome	QLD	Jabiru	J200-B	Jabiru	3300A	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: On take-off roll on runway 30, the aircraft was approx. half...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: On take-off roll on runway 30, the aircraft was approx. halfway down runway 300m when (due to long grass and soft conditions) the pilot knew they wouldn't make a safe take-off so aborted take-off. They slowed the aircraft and ran into soft sandy conditions. The nose wheel has dug in and then hit a concrete marker on runway causing nose wheel to collapse completely, prop/engine nose has dug into sand causing aircraft to flip over. DETERMINED OUTCOME: The aircraft failed to reach sufficient take off speed due to surface conditions at this authorised landing area resulting in an aborted take off and subsequent impact damage. Orchid Beach in Qld is a notorious airstrip for testing aircraft take off performance capability. Due to the sand base the formula's for Take off distance required (TODR) from aircraft POH's and AFM's should only be used as a guide and all soft field considerations and precautions applied with generous margins. At airfields such as this a conservative take off rejection point should be applied and briefed prior to any take off.
17/9/2022	OCC2962	Lucyvale	VIC	Jabiru	J230C	Jabiru	3300A	Fatal Accident involving RAAus member. ATSB are not investigating and therefore Victoria Police are ...
Fatal Accident involving RAAus member. ATSB are not investigating and therefore Victoria Police are responsible for the investigation. RAAus has offered our full support as they conduct their investigation.
17/9/2022	OCC2949	Muchea/Greenside Aerodrome	WA	Jabiru	170	Jabiru	2200B	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot was established in the circuit pattern using runwa...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot was established in the circuit pattern using runway 09 and making all relevant radio calls to report their position. They were established on base and about to make a call to turn final for 09 when they heard a call advising that there was a plane "rolling runway 27 for a straight out departure to the coast" which was in clear opposition to the direction of the established circuit pattern at the time. The pilot attempted to contact the second pilot over the radio, however they didn't reply and continued with their departure. The first pilot had to make an immediate turn away from the runway to avoid a collision. The second pilot of the other aircraft took no steps to ensure the area was safe prior to taking off - they didn't listen to any radio calls prior to departure, they didn't look at final or base (the first pilot was directly in their line of sight) and took off in opposition to the established pattern and didn't respond to radio calls directed to them. This was a chain of errors that could have very easily resulted in a mid air collision. DETERMINED OUTCOME: The reporting pilot was deemed to have operated in full compliance in regards to use of runway and VHF communications requirements. The incident has been referred to CASA for further action in regards to the operation of the other aircraft. Near miss events in the vicinity of non controlled aerodromes are increasing, and this is of significant concern for all airspace users. Vigilant lookout, confirmed serviceability of radio communications equipment as well as clear determination of operational runways are key elements that ensure both situational awareness and good airmanship are practiced effectively in order to prevent these types of occurrences.
15/9/2022	OCC2953	Muchea/Greenside Aerodrome	WA	Jabiru	J170-C	Jabiru	2200	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During forced landing the student raised the nose during the...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During forced landing the student raised the nose during the approach, airspeed was below needed, the instructor directed student to lower the nose to regain airspeed which he did, but too aggressively, pitching nose down too far. The instructor intervened to raise the nose and applied full power but was unable to arrest the descent in time and the right wheel impacted the runway heavily. OUTCOME: Damage to aircraft during training due to a heavy landing. Student debriefed by instructor in relation to the occurrence after the event to ensure that they understood the implications of over controlling aircraft in close proximity to ground. Instructor to take a more cautious approach during training exercises especially when multiple attempts at he same exercise in close proximity to the ground.
14/9/2022	OCC2960	Gunnedah	NSW	Auto gyro MTOsport turbo	MTO sport turbo	Rotax	914	This Defect is for a rotorcraft gyro, but the reporter thought it to be beneficial to RAAus members ...
This Defect is for a rotorcraft gyro, but the reporter thought it to be beneficial to RAAus members as well. A rotorcraft gyro was observed entering the circuit at Gunnedah, with ops normal. As they turned onto base a huge plume of smoke appeared out the back of the aircraft. It was thought they must have a smoke system installed. However, once it landed and shut down, oil was observed dripping out of the air cleaner and out of the exhaust pipe. It was taken to a hanger and discovered that the turbo was full of oil. The pressure line and return line to the turbo are very close to the exhaust pipe. If the exhaust is hot at shut down it cooks the oil in the pressure line. Sometime later a small piece of carbon breaks away from the inside of the line; goes through the turbo and lodges in the catch can at the base of the turbo. As the entry to the return line is very small at the base of the catch can, it easily becomes blocked, and the oil is forced out past the bearings into the intake and the exhaust. There were three small pieces of carbon in the can causing the problem, but what really worries the reporter is that this pumped out 1.5 litres of oil in about 4 minutes. Another 4 minutes and the engine would have seized. The can was cleaned can and placed a fire sleeve over the two oil lines.
14/9/2022	OCC2946	Boonah Aerodrome	QLD	Tecnam	P96 Golf	Rotax	912 ULS	Aircraft conducted normal landing, on applying power to conduct touch and go, it appears the nosewhe...
Aircraft conducted normal landing, on applying power to conduct touch and go, it appears the nosewheel has separated from the aircraft and the aircraft has suffered a collapsed nosewheel and prop strike.
11/9/2022	OCC2943	White Gum	WA	Aeroprakt	A22LS Foxbat	Rotax	912 ULS	Two pop rivets found missing on top wing skin. Location - on wing rib just forward of main spar; eit...
Two pop rivets found missing on top wing skin. Location - on wing rib just forward of main spar; either side of where the wing strut attaches below.
11/9/2022	OCC2951	Bendigo Airport	VIC	BRM Aero	Bristell SLSA	Rotax	912 ULS 3	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: When the last 100 hourly was conducted, No 1 Cylinder Leak D...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: When the last 100 hourly was conducted, No 1 Cylinder Leak Down, although compliant, was considerably less than the other 3 cylinders. It was later decided to investigate the cause of the lower Leak Down Reading, and new rings and seals were ordered. Upon removal of the Cylinder, it was initially found that the ring gaps in the compression rings lined up. When the L2 attempted to remove the piston rings it was found that the second compression ring was seized in the ring groove of the piston with what appeared to be lead deposits. The lead deposits were cleaned from the Piston, Cylinder Head and Valves, component clearances checked, and the engine was reassembled with new rings and seals. Since Taking delivery of the aircraft at 1727 Hours Total,(immediately after the last 100 Hourly), the aircraft had done only 64 hours when the lower Leak Down result was observed, and whilst being run exclusively on unleaded 98 Ron after delivery to the current owner, it is believed that the aircraft was run exclusively on AvGas by the previous owner. Upon completion of the work, the engine was turned over by hand, and it was noticed that something was rattling inside the Spinner. Investigation revealed part of a large circlip in the Spinner. Further investigation revealed that the circlips in Blades No.1 and No.3 were broken and that approximately one third to just short of one half of those circlips were missing. Inspection revealed that the two broken circlips were of a different type to that in Blade No.2. Inspection of the Logbook revealed that at 1727.0 Hours, the circlip on Blade No.2 as well as all seals on the propeller were replaced. The Aircraft now has a total of 1802.8 Hours. Discussions with Southern Propellers (who did the previous work on the Propeller, including the last overhaul, as well as the replacement of Blade No.2 Circlip) as well as others including Westernport Aviation Services have indicated that there have been numerous incidents of Circlip Failure in MT- 34 Propellers and from the difference in the circlips on the propeller, it appears that an updated Circlip has been fitted to only one blade on the Aircraft.
11/9/2022	OCC2958	Townsville	QLD	Jabiru	J230-D	Jabiru	3300	Fatal Accident involving RAAus member. ATSB are not investigating and therefore Queensland Police ar...
Fatal Accident involving RAAus member. ATSB are not investigating and therefore Queensland Police are responsible for the investigation. RAAus has offered our full support as they conduct their investigation.
8/9/2022	OCC2942	Sunshine Coast Aerodrome	QLD	Aeropro	2K Eurofox	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot conducted a take-off on Runway 13 and shortly afte...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot conducted a take-off on Runway 13 and shortly after becoming airborne, at approx. 50-100' AGL, they noticed the right main wheel appear to be retracting under the aircraft, presumably due the aerodynamic pressure the tyre was exerting on the gear leg, after it started to shear off the stub axle. Moments thereafter the right main wheel departed at which point the pilot declared a Mayday and continued a left circuit on Runway 13 and advised they would be conducting a forced landing on the grass north inside the runway gable markers. The pilot briefed the passenger assuring all would be ok and requested they brace themself by grasping one of the overhead frame components to prevent possible head injury. The pilot conducted a short field approach to reduce speed as much as safely possible and proceeded to land on the left main wheel with a left crosswind, holding left aileron input, ultimately on the aileron stop as energy dissipated and the right wing lowered. The right main gear leg contacted the ground causing the aircraft to spin 180 degrees at which point the leading outer edge of the left wing contacted the ground, the aircraft tipped forward resulting in a prop strike and came to rest after falling back on the fuselage. Pilot and passenger exited via the right side door, due the passenger door being jammed after impact, after shutting down the electrical and fuel systems.