Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
5/11/2022	OCC3015	Griffith Regional Aerodrome	NSW	Pipistrel	Virus SW	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: It was reported that during the landing phase the pilot felt ...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: It was reported that during the landing phase the pilot felt a vibration. On landing, the aircraft experienced a nose wheel collapse. The initial phase of the investigation has been completed and the primary cause has been identified as Loss of Control in the landing phase of flight with the aircraft impacting the runway. During the investigation it was determined that the pilot in command did not hold a Recreational Pilot Certificate. The pilot was reminded of their legal obligations to hold a Recreational Pilot Certificate prior to operating as pilot in command of an RAAus aircraft and CASA was advised of the matter.
5/11/2022	OCC3016	Shelharbour Aerodrome	NSW	Jabiru	J230-C	Jabiru		OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The Jabiru had returned to YSHL after a short local flight o...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The Jabiru had returned to YSHL after a short local flight over the Southern Highlands to the west. Upon returning it was the intention of the pilot to conduct multiple circuits. They gave a 10 mile inbound call from the west and joined the circuit crosswind for RWY34 which was the active runway. They then completed one circuit and performed a go-around and again conducted another circuit. On final of the 2nd circuit, the pilot made a radio call indicating final 34 for circuits. The Jabiru landed and then climbed to 600ft before making a right hand turn crosswind. At this time an inbound aircraft (VH registered) believed to be from Camden made a radio call joining either turning or joining downwind. Due to the Jabiru already being a late crosswind, they immediately climbed to avoid conflict (Jabiru was already 1100ft being slightly too high). Upon climbing the pilot observed the joining aircraft pass directly below them from left to right believed to be around 100-200ft. The Jabiru made an immediate call stating the conflict and that they would go number 2 to the joining aircraft, and they had them in sight. The joining aircraft apologised on the radio to Jabiru. Jabiru continued to follow the VH aircraft and landed without incident. INVESTIGATION REVIEW: Near misses in and around non controlled aerodromes continue to present as significant high risk occurrences. Aircraft joining the circuit must ensure they mitigate these risks with any existing circuit traffic by adopting the safest separation strategy and clear communications with any potential conflict, maintaining a heightened scan and lookout during these critical phases of the circuit.
4/11/2022	OCC3009	Bindoon Aerodrome	WA	Flight Design	CTSW	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During finals, just prior to touchdown, the pilot experience...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During finals, just prior to touchdown, the pilot experienced turbulent wind gusts. They landed the aircraft on its main wheels and had engine at idle when they were hit by a very strong gust which lifted them into the air. The pilot applied full power and nose down in an effort to gain airspeed when wind just drop to zero and aircraft landed hard on the runway, flipped over and came to complete stop. The pilot turned off all electrics and fuel then exited the aircraft. OUTCOME REVIEW: The pilots training CFI debriefed and reviewed the accident with the pilot and it was identified the pilot had purchased the aircraft but had not undertaken any specific type training prior to this accident. While of the same group, the wing loading and pre-stall sink rate characteristics are vastly different to the aircraft the pilot was trained on. This misunderstanding has been addressed in subsequent endorsement training while the aircraft is undergoing repair and return to service. Pilots are again reminded of the importance of obtaining specific type training on any new type and urged to reference RAAP 1 for more details prior to flying a new aircraft type.
30/10/2022	OCC3000	Tooradin Aerodrome	VIC	Fly Synthesis	Texan TC	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot conducted a local flight without issue, on return ...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot conducted a local flight without issue, on return to the airfield, they conducted a normal circuit, established themself on final with 3000 rpm set and landing flaps, airspeed 55kts. At approx. 100ft AGL the pilot felt they had a high sink rate and thought they were too low so applied full power and raised the nose to initiate a go around but did not recover from what they now assume was a stall condition. The aircraft impacted the vegetation just before the runway threshold with the main wheels and full power still applied. The pilot closed throttle but had impacted the ground hard with a high nose attitude and lost directional control, the aircraft left the runway to the left and immediately the front wheel bogged down in the soft grass and collapsed. This is a further example where the pilot did not detect the increasing sink rate as a symptom of the pending aerodynamic stall. The increasing divergence of aircraft attitude and the actual flight path were key indicators for the imminent stall. While the published stall speeds for the Texan 550 are 50 kts (clean), 44kts (Take Off flap) and 40 kts (full flap) which should have provided an acceptable stall margin in the approach, this approach airspeed did not account for any potential effects of wind gradient or turbulence. Further, by allowing the aircraft to pitch up in response to the application of full power, the pilot inadvertently exceeded the critical angle of attack, a situation in which power cannot be used to restore controlled flight. The pilot has since recognised the need for better training in upsets to standard approaches to build positive and effective responses and resilience to these scenarios. Pilots are reminded that an aircraft can stall at airspeeds outside the published speeds based on a range of factors and early awareness of all the potential stall symptoms is critical in all phases of flight but particularly the final approach.
29/10/2022	OCC3003	Tarome	QLD	Just Aircraft	SuperStol	UL Power	350iS	When applying full power for take-off one blade broke free from the propeller hub, the resulting imb...
When applying full power for take-off one blade broke free from the propeller hub, the resulting imbalance caused the whole hub to break from the crankshaft.
29/10/2022	OCC3006	Mundubbera Aerodrome	QLD	High Clearance Trail Bike	TT 500	Rotax	503	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The aircraft lost a wheel on take-off. The pilot completed t...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The aircraft lost a wheel on take-off. The pilot completed two circuits of airstrip to see if there were any other aircraft in the area, however, there were none in sight or on the radio so the pilot completed a landing on the grass verge. The aircraft landed softly with only minor damage. The aircraft owner does a lot of bush and rough strip flying. This may have contributed to the loss of a split pin that secures the wheel to the axle. This incident highlights the importance of a thorough pre-flight inspection.
29/10/2022	OCC3026	Canberra Aerodrome	ACT	BRM Aero	Bristell S-LSA	Rotax	912 ULS	During flight training the pre-flight/taxi/Run-up/Pre-take-off checks were conducted as normal and n...
During flight training the pre-flight/taxi/Run-up/Pre-take-off checks were conducted as normal and no issues were present. The take-off roll was normal and the aircraft was making full power and accelerating as normal. At approx. 500ft AGL on the first circuit as the student was commencing their crosswind turn the aircraft began to emit a high frequency vibration from the engine and started to lose power. The instructor took over from the student and by this point the aircraft was at approx. 700ft AGL. The aircraft was struggling to maintain level flight at regular downwind airspeed and as such the instructor elected to discontinue the flight and conduct a close circuit. It was still making power but significantly reduced. The base, final and landing were conducted normally without incident. Aircraft was subsequently grounded pending inspection.
27/10/2022	OCC3066	Shellharbour Aerodrome	NSW	Aeroprakt	A32 Vixxen	Rotax	912 ULS	Breakdown of communication between aircraft at Shellharbour airport.
26/10/2022	OCC2998	Gawler Aerodrome	SA	Jabiru	J170-C	Jabiru	2200B	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Landing with a blustering crosswind, the pilot side slipped ...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Landing with a blustering crosswind, the pilot side slipped to correct for crosswind, landed too quickly, oscillated, and damaged propeller. The pilot had made sound decisions not to fly earlier based on conditions but was convinced by other experienced instructors that her skill level was to an appropriate standard. Conditions had worsened during the take off roll and the pilot elected to terminate the flight following a successful circuit. During the landing the aircraft bounced and subsequently developed a pilot induced oscillation where the propellor had struck the ground. This was later identified in a post landing inspection. Pilots are reminded to apply conservative personal minimums in flight decision and adhere to them at all times, especially where factors such as limited experience or changing environmental conditions exist.
24/10/2022	OCC3002	Caboolture Aerodrome	QLD	Airborne	XT 912	Rotax	912 U L	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Students first flight from the front seat, E of C. The fligh...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Students first flight from the front seat, E of C. The flight was uneventful with good inputs and understanding from the student. A prelanding brief was completed on the downwind leg in preparation for landing. It was confirmed that the instructor had full control of the aircraft. (Part of the brief in a trike is to make sure the student has both feet off the throttle and brake) The landing was uneventful. They landed on grass right next to the main runway. (The surface was hard grassed and wet) Approx. 20 to 30 metres after touch down and tracking straight the trike slowly started to veer to the left and shortly after started skidding to the right. The instructor told the student to get their foot off the brake and tried to steer into the skid, but at this stage they crossed the main runway and the surface changed from damp grass to dirt, at this point the trike rolled over to the right onto its wing and pod, they were now on their side. They skidded about two car lengths on their side finishing at 90 degrees to their ordinal direction. With help they righted the trike and push it off the runway. DETERMINED OUTCOME: Primary cause - unintentional intervention with braking system by student during landing. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS: First flight from front seat of the tandem microlight with no braking override control for instructor. Student was wearing footwear that compromised the feel and tactility of the foot controls which resulted in comprised control in the landing rollout despite checks and communications by the instructor.
21/10/2022	OCC2999	Caboolture	QLD	Fly Synthesis	Texan 550	Rotax	912 ULS	Consequential to the replacement of a slightly worn wing pin, all 8 M8 wing pin lock-nuts (on 4 wing...
Consequential to the replacement of a slightly worn wing pin, all 8 M8 wing pin lock-nuts (on 4 wing pins) were subsequently found to have partial or completely stripped threads. A concern that the aircraft has been previously maintained by reputable aircraft maintenance companies led to further investigations and tests to determine how and why the lock-nuts were in this condition. As a result, it would appear that the problem is highly likely to have been repeated on other Texan aircraft that have had wings removed or wing pins replaced or torqued IAW manufacturer specifications.
17/10/2022	OCC2984	Devonport	TAS	Jabiru	J-120			OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: While conducting the pre-flight inspection the pilot noted t...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: While conducting the pre-flight inspection the pilot noted the bolts holding the flaps on were excessively rusted and as they turned the bolts, parts of the nuts disintegrated and fell off. They noted the propellor tips were delaminating and there were rust stains on top of the wings along with excessive oil stains on the underside of the fuselage.
17/10/2022	OCC2985	Caboolture Aerodrome	QLD	Austflight ULA	Drifter 503	Rotax	503	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot taxied a Drifter for runway 29 which the wind favo...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot taxied a Drifter for runway 29 which the wind favoured by 5 knots or so and made a taxy call on 125.85 CTAF for runway 29. They heard advice from a ground station that mowing operations were in progress. They made a further call "Lining up runway 29 for circuits" and heard no responses. Upon becoming airborne the pilot observed a Mooney rolling on runway 11 and they rejected their take-off and backtracked. The Drifter climbed to ultralight circuit height of 500'and held abeam the 11 threshold whilst the Mooney departed. The Drifter pilot did not hear their line-up call and their subsequent transmissions were unreadable. It transpires that the Drifter radio was at fault. Conflicting runway operations due to radio serviceability issues. Headset connection issues are common and are part of the integrity of VHF systems. Pilots are reminded to regularly check serviceability of VHF equipment, particularly at aerodromes where use is mandated such as in this case. Alerted see and avoid is still underpinned by an effective lookout even when on the ground to ensure any collision risk is mitigated.
16/10/2022	OCC2981	Ballarat Aerodrome	VIC	Tecnam	P2002 Sierra	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Instructor and student noticed unusual nose wheel shimmy dur...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Instructor and student noticed unusual nose wheel shimmy during a lesson of touch 'n go circuits. Elected to call for a full stop landing and to end the lesson. Once the aircraft had landed on the active runway, lack of directional control noted by instructor who took control of the aircraft. The instructor established control and taxied clear of the runway. Once the aircraft was shutdown it was that the front nose wheel tube had deflated. The aircraft and the rim of the tyre sustained NIL damage and was secured in the hanger. The incident has been noted on the maintenance release.
16/10/2022	OCC2991	Corowa Aerodrome	NSW	Morgan Aeroworks	Cheetah Sierra 200	Jabiru	3300	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Landing on RWY 23 at Corowa, main landing gear touched down ...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Landing on RWY 23 at Corowa, main landing gear touched down at 60kts as normal and uneventfully, when the nose wheel touched down some seconds later it instantly folded backwards under the front of the aircraft breaking off, this not surprisingly caused the front of the aircraft to drop to the ground and slide on its nose for approximately 30 meters. The pilot and passenger did not sustain any injuries.