Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
15/10/2022	OCC2986	Childers Aerodrome	QLD	Rans	S-6	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot was taxiing the aircraft up and down the runway ge...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot was taxiing the aircraft up and down the runway getting used to ground control of the tailwheel aircraft as the majority of their flying is nose wheel. They had just turned at the end of runway 10 and had proceeded to start another run when an unexpected wind gust lifted the aircraft off the ground and caused it to roll severely to the left. The pilot levelled the aircraft and at that point was up around 20 feet AGL the nose dropped as they went to full power, they tried to level the aircraft from its decent and at that point struck the ground. The impact tore the left undercarriage off and broke the right wheel off and then the nose hit the ground. DETERMINED OUTCOME: Loss of Control while taxiing aircraft. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS: Limited experience on type and environmental conditions. Pilots' converting to tail wheel aircraft should not undertake any command flight until fully competent in a range of conditions and operations. Light weight, low inertia tail wheel aircraft are highly vulnerable to to low energy take off incidents as the resting angle of attack of the wing exceeds that required for take off. Pilots should undertake dual training with specialist TW instructors until deemed competent to standard 2 in the RAAus syllabus which references uncontrolled environments and conditions.
10/10/2022	OCC2977	Wagga Wagga Aerodrome	NSW	Tecnam	P92 Eaglet	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: A PA28 aircraft joined on crosswind leg for runway 05 from t...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: A PA28 aircraft joined on crosswind leg for runway 05 from the dead side of the circuit, behind another PA28. An RAAus instructor and student were conducting circuits in a P92 Eaglet at the time were on upwind of the same circuit and were immediately cut off by the PA28 passing just above them as they joined their crosswind leg. The student and instructor did not need to take immediate evasive maneuvers due to early identification of the offending aircraft, however the circuit legs had to be extended significantly in order to facilitate the additional at-fault aircraft. Later identification of the offending aircraft would have required evasive maneuvers on our part. RAAus SUMMARY: Contacted the training school and provided feedback on the report received. School advised that they would debrief the students involved in the above occurrence.
6/10/2022	OCC2976	Gunnedah Aerodrome	NSW	Jabiru	UL 450	Jabiru	2200A	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The owner of the aircraft is converting from GA to RAAus In ...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The owner of the aircraft is converting from GA to RAAus In their own aircraft. They did a slightly heavy landing. The instructor took over; did a go around, and they decided to call it a day. The instructor did the next landing unaware that the left-hand main undercarriage wheel was missing. The touchdown was uneventful, but the aircraft leant to the left and made a grinding sound. They knew something on the undercarriage was missing but didn't know what. The instructor managed to keep roughly on the center line until the rudder and nose wheel ran out of authority. The aircraft slowly turned left and stopped on the edge of the runway at right angles to the center line. No damage to the aircraft other than the left-hand wheel was missing. RAAus Summary - Pilot and Instructor both reminded that armature built aircraft cannot be used for initial flight training, only ratings and endorsements. Damage to wheel is a result of fatigue along with possible heavy landing. Pilots reminded to toughly check wheels, including rims in future as part of pre-flight checks as this could have identified cracking resulting in replacement before failure.
26/9/2022	OCC2969	Heck Field	QLD	Jabiru	J230-B	Jabiru	3300	The amateur built aircraft was presented to be flown by the owner as part of recurrency training & c...
The amateur built aircraft was presented to be flown by the owner as part of recurrency training & checking as a private flight which was agreed to sometime earlier. On initial inspection, while the aircraft was essentially airworthy it had been hangered un-flown for over 12 months and the wing was heavily covered in dust and the elevator junction seam tape was heavily degraded. The owner confirmed all relevant service bulletins had been complied with and maintenance was up to date. During preflight a small presence of water was found in the header drain and on enquiry it was discovered the avgas 100LL was also over 12 months old despite ground and taxi runs being conducted during the period. Subsequent drains cleared any further water from the system. Despite raising these concerns, the aircraft was deemed airworthy and a thorough pre brief was discussed and agreed regarding this return to service flight and the owner/ pilot's uncurrent state in the single control centre stick aircraft with under seat throttles. The aircraft passed all run up checks and take off was normal but on climb out a noticeable vibration was being felt through the rudder pedals which the pilot queried with the owner for normality. The owner was unconvincing as to the normalcy of the vibration, which the pilot didn’t believe was associated with the nose wheel, so they made a command decision to terminate the flight, which was successfully done with the owner in control under their supervision.
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.