Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
2/8/2022	OCC2894	Temora	NSW	Tecnam	P2002			While installing new nav and strobe lights, a cold solder joint was identified on the fuse bus bar, ...
While installing new nav and strobe lights, a cold solder joint was identified on the fuse bus bar, affecting three fuses. Only one was being used at the time, which was for the old strobe installation. The other two were for EFIS and EMS, which are not installed in the aircraft. There was also a voltage drop in a plug under the instrument panel, which was only providing 2 volts, not the required 12. The problem was traced using continuity and the plug was diagnosed as the faulty component, but in the act of replacing the plug, it was identified the wiring sheath had not been stripped from the crimped section, resulting in intermittent contact and voltage drop. The previously installed strobe system had failed on three other occasions, but this had been diagnosed as the strobe actuator box, which was considered to not be sufficiently powerful to have powered the three strobes. The wiring was correctly crimped into the plug, new nav and strobe lights were fitted and tested as working correctly. It is possible the poorly stripped wire preventing correct crimping on the plug was a root cause of the three previous failures.
1/8/2022	OCC2900	Caboolture	QLD	Fly Synthesis	Texan 550	Rotax	912 ULS	Vertical play (est. to be 0.20mm) was observed in LH front wing pin (8.00 mm dia). Play was heard as...
Vertical play (est. to be 0.20mm) was observed in LH front wing pin (8.00 mm dia). Play was heard as a clicking sound and felt at the fwd. wing pin connection joint when the wing tip was moved vertically.
27/7/2022	OCC2892	Caboolture	QLD	Fly Synthesis	Texan 550	Rotax	912 ULS	The old fuel line was found to be not fully pushed home before the retaining nut was done up. It wou...
The old fuel line was found to be not fully pushed home before the retaining nut was done up. It would appear that the fuel pipe was not cut square and from the lack of a compression joint on the fuel hose, that the fuel joint has never been properly made. As a result, the fuel line detached very easily from the fitting, although showed no signs of a leak.
25/7/2022	OCC2887	Caboolture	QLD	Fly Synthesis	Texan 599	Rotax	912 ULS	During a routine inspection, two kinks were discovered in the LH fuel line from the tank. Both kinks...
During a routine inspection, two kinks were discovered in the LH fuel line from the tank. Both kinks are near the ends of the fuel line. The LH fuel line is visible for inspection through the antenna hatch. Due to age and condition of the wing tank fuel lines (~13 years), both fuel lines are being replaced.
24/7/2022	OCC2891	Gawler Aerodrome	SA	Jabiru	J160-C	Jabiru	2200	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: RAAus received a report of a pilot landing an RAAus aircraft ...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: RAAus received a report of a pilot landing an RAAus aircraft at an airport very close to last light. The airport was not equipped with runway lights and the pilot acknowledged they should have planned to depart earlier and account for forecast headwinds, which delayed their arrival.
22/7/2022	OCC2888	Barkley Homestead area	NT	Jabiru	SP470	Jabiru	2200A	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The Jabiru departed EmKayTee (YMKT) first light with full win...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The Jabiru departed EmKayTee (YMKT) first light with full wing tanks (135 litres) for a non-stop flight to Barkley Station (YBKS). A planned flight time of 5.7 hours. The pilot had been tracking fuel use via fuel flow meter ranging between 13.5 - 15 litres an hour which was as expected, however 27 miles on the 320 radial short of the destination at 2500’ the engine ran rough and caught again. The pilot immediately switched on the electric pump and focused on a landing area on the black soil before flying over a highly treed area that separated the aircraft from Barkley Station. The engine ran for another 10-15 seconds before winding back to 1250-1300 RPM at full throttle. The pilot had been monitoring the LED fuel lights for the last hour of flight as they were dropping into the red then back to one green bar continuously. The pilot noted the fuel indicators may be unreliable and prefer to use Fuel Flow versus take off fuel. The pilot declared a MAYDAY on area frequency and when they received no answer switched to 121.5 and retransmitted the MAYDAY. Response was heard from QANTAS international flight who contacted Brisbane on their behalf. After landing successfully on the desert floor QANTAS handed the pilot over to another aircraft. The pilot of that aircraft stayed in touch with the Jabiru and Brisbane Centre for around 5 minutes. After losing contact with that aircraft the pilot was still unsure if their position was fully known so they activated their beacon and waited for further contact to be made. They tried Brisbane Centre several times with no success and each time transmitted their position "in the blind". The pilot tried both area frequency and Brisbane Centre on the hour and half hour times to conserve battery life but received no answer. Approx. 3.5 hours on the ground they heard a helicopter in the distance and contacted it on area frequency to be notified they were coming to assist. R22 landed 5-6 minutes later and flew them to Barkley Homestead where they cancelled their SARWATCH by phone. They confirmed there was only 1 POB and the EPIRB was deactivated before they left the landing area. Once on the ground it was immediately obvious that the fuel drain for the header tank had permitted fuel to leak as the last litre had drained onto the desert floor and the remaining fuel (approx. 40 litres over 5.7 hours) had drained away in flight. At no time did the pilot smell any fuel leak. When the fuel total seemed to be low they visually checked both wing drains and fuel filter clamps and no obvious leak, visual or using smell was present. RAAus Summary: The pilot has managed this situation well, and should be applauded for both MAYDAY call and activation of EPIRB. RAAus encouraged the pilot to think about fatigue considerations for such a long flight.
22/7/2022	OCC2884	Lake King	VIC	Aerochute Industries	Dual	Rotax	503UL DCDI	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Engine warm up normal for Rotax 503. Dual ignition check ok f...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Engine warm up normal for Rotax 503. Dual ignition check ok for rev. drop. Normal take off. Approx. 100ft off ground when engine started to run rough and then failed completely. The pilot did not attempt a restart because of low height, instead they glided the Aerochute onto the edge of Lake King and landed in the water. No damage to aircraft and nil injury to pilot and no property damage. There were no passengers on board. Recovered aircraft and took it to certified Rotax mechanic same day. Engine checked for water damage and OK. Clean fuel provided and engine started and ran normally. Mechanic believes engine problem was due to contaminated fuel as no other reason for the engine stopping can be found. This was the first time in two months that the aircraft had been used.
22/7/2022	OCC2912	Canberra Aerodrome	ACT	BRM Aero	Bristell S-LSA	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Just after takeoff at ~1700ft AGL as the aircraft was on dow...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Just after takeoff at ~1700ft AGL as the aircraft was on downwind and just handed off to approach the Co2 alarm went off in the aircraft. The pilot elected to discontinue the flight and informed ATC of the issue and then made a quick return onto runway 12 at YSCB with no further issues. No fault was found, and subsequent maintenance inspection requested by the pilot.
19/7/2022	OCC2882	Dubbo	NSW	American Legend	AL3	Continental	O-200D48	Rudder cable contacting fuel line after fuel line had been pushed downward beside rear seat. Fuel li...
Rudder cable contacting fuel line after fuel line had been pushed downward beside rear seat. Fuel line had deep cut/rub mark in it.
19/7/2022	OCC2954	Serpentine Aerodrome	WA	Fly Synthesis	Storch HS	Jabiru	2200A	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Engine stopped on take-off and the aircraft was landed back ...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Engine stopped on take-off and the aircraft was landed back on the runway. Engine restarted and ran normally during taxi back to hangar. Full engine inspection by L2 found cracking of the fuel lines immediately before the firewall; and out of sight near the gascolator at the bottom of the firewall. The remainder of the fuel lines looked and felt fine. The fuel lines still had 18 months before mandatory replacement. It was decided to replace all fuel lines and rubbers with new; sourced from manufacturer. It was also decided to remove the carburettor for a detailed inspection. Preliminary reason for engine stoppage is air ingestion due fuel line deterioration leading to failure at full power.
16/7/2022	OCC2878	Streaky Bay	SA	Jabiru	J430	Camit	3300	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot completed a touch and go landing, then climbed out ...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot completed a touch and go landing, then climbed out to complete one more landing. The pilot advised they should have deployed full flap to ensure good visiblity of the Single Wire Earth Return (SWER), but misjudged this approach and the aircraft clipped the SWER, resulting in damage to the aircraft and minor injury to the pilot.
15/7/2022	OCC2885	Caboolture	QLD	Fly Synthesis	Texan 599	Rotax	912 ULS	The new Rotax supplied Oil Radiator p/n 886002 is 6mm taller than its original OEM part. In the Texa...
The new Rotax supplied Oil Radiator p/n 886002 is 6mm taller than its original OEM part. In the Texan 550, the new larger oil radiator does not fit into the carbon fiber housing as per the IPC. Being LSA, a manufacturer approved alternative mounting arrangement has been sought to mount the new size cooler in a Texan.
14/7/2022	OCC2872	Aldinga Aerodrome	SA	Aeronca	7AC	Continental	C90-14F	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: When on final for runway 32, on a very short final the pilot ...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: When on final for runway 32, on a very short final the pilot did not leave sufficient room to clear a tree. The right wing tip clipped a tree. The aircraft yawed 20 degrees to the right and landed on 36 instead.
9/7/2022	OCC2917	Coolangatta Aerodrome	NSW	BRM Aero	Bristell S-LSA	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot landed on runway 14 and vacated on taxiway B. On v...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot landed on runway 14 and vacated on taxiway B. On vacating the aircraft crossed the holding point without a clearance. The pilot was unaware they had taxiied across a holding point but was aware that taxiway B was a hotspot. They thought that they had stopped in the correct location to contact ground for taxi clearance and pulled the data log from the Garmin in the aircraft, which seemed to indicate that they had stopped a metre or so past the second line which they agree was not correct. The pilot has undertaken further review of the location and taxiway marking to ensure correct understanding
8/7/2022	OCC2868	Devonport Aerodrome	TAS	Aeroprakt	A22LS Foxbat	Rotax	912ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: After circuit training with student, clear of runways and tax...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: After circuit training with student, clear of runways and taxing to GA area the left main tyre went flat.