Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
23/11/2024	OCC3887	Emkaytee Airfield	NT	Skyreach	Bushcat	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE SUBMITTED TO DETAILS RAAUS: On take-off, the capacitor on top of the voltage regulator ex...
OCCURRENCE SUBMITTED TO DETAILS RAAUS: On take-off, the capacitor on top of the voltage regulator exploded. This caused a small puff of smoke to come into the cabin, and the pilot as a result, flew a precautionary circuit and landed successfully.
20/11/2024	OCC3884	Cootamundra Aerodrome	NSW	Tecnam	P2008	Rotax	912ULS	OCCURRENCE SUBMITTED TO DETAILS RAAUS: The instructor was conducting a circuit emergencies lesson wi...
OCCURRENCE SUBMITTED TO DETAILS RAAUS: The instructor was conducting a circuit emergencies lesson with the student pilot, focusing on simulated engine failure after take-off (EFATO). Prior to the exercise, the instructor provided a detailed briefing and demonstrated the EFATO manoeuvre twice. The student pilot then successfully performed one EFATO under the instructor’s direction. During the student pilot’s second attempt, the instructor reduced engine power to idle to simulate the engine failure. The student pilot immediately pulled the control stick fully aft, contrary to the briefing instructions. The instructor verbally commanded the student pilot to apply forward pressure on the control stick while the instructor simultaneously applied forward pressure to counteract their input. The instructor however, was unable to overpower the student pilot’s control input. The instructor attempted to initiate a go-around. Despite the instructor’s efforts, the aircraft descended rapidly and made a hard landing on the runway. The impact resulted in the collapse of the nosewheel, and the aircraft came to rest at the edge of the runway. Review of how the lesson is conducted to see if there are ways of mitigating a reoccurrence.
18/11/2024	OCC3880	Sunshine Coast Aerodrome	QLD	The Airplane Factory	Sling 2	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE SUBMITTED TO DETAILS RAAUS: The pilot of a Sling aircraft was conducting solo flights wit...
OCCURRENCE SUBMITTED TO DETAILS RAAUS: The pilot of a Sling aircraft was conducting solo flights with initial crosswinds of 8kts. On the third touch and go, the aircraft encountered extreme crosswind gusting on touchdown preventing the pilot from being unable to maintain the centreline. This resulted in the aircraft running off onto the grass verge before coming to a stop. Pilot most likely did not hold controls fully into the wind after touchdown which allowed the wind to get under the into wind wing causing the aircraft to drift off the runway.
15/11/2024	OCC3883	Caboolture	QLD	Aerochute	Dual	Rotax	503	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: The fuel primer bulb, though working and appearing to...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: The fuel primer bulb, though working and appearing to be in nearly new condition, was found to be sucking in air, causing the engine to consistently fail at about 200ft immediately after T/O. Ground test of fuel pressure at full power was within specification.
14/11/2024	OCC3893	Sunshine Coast Aerodrome	QLD	The Airplane Factory	Sling 2	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE SUBMITTED TO DETAILS RAAUS: The instructor received clearance from Sunshine Coast ground ...
OCCURRENCE SUBMITTED TO DETAILS RAAUS: The instructor received clearance from Sunshine Coast ground to taxi to Holding Point F. After receiving the clearance from the tower to take off, "clear for takeoff," the instructor took their time rolling with the student pilot, demonstrating how to maintain runway alignment with the pedals and explaining the take-off procedure. Then, the instructor heard from the tower for their aircraft to stay where they were, followed by the RPT which was on final to go around. Pilot did not realise how close the RPT was to landing when asking for a take-off clearance and was not aware that you could ask for a delay on the runway if you were not going to immediately take-off. This incident highlights the benefits of clear concise communication so as not to cause differing mental pictures.
9/11/2024	OCC3875	Port Lincoln Aerodrome	SA	Jabiru	SP500	Jabiru	3300	OCCURRENCE SUBMITTED TO DETAILS RAAUS: On the initial taxiing call, the pilot identified that they w...
OCCURRENCE SUBMITTED TO DETAILS RAAUS: On the initial taxiing call, the pilot identified that they were taxiing for runway 01, the reciprocal runway of what they were actually taxiing for. The pilot was then contacted by another aircraft that was on approach to Port Lincoln, and requested the windsock status, as they were going to track for a left base to runway 15. The pilot responded saying that there was a relatively light crosswind for 01, but they meant to say 19. The pilot of the other aircraft called a circuit arrival time of .47 so to be well out of the way of the incoming traffic, they still had not picked up that they were making calls on the wrong runway designation. On the upwind leg of runway 19, they could see the other aircraft approaching in the distance and made a call that they had them visual and that they would extend their current crosswind leg to remain clear. The pilot was confused as to why the other aircraft was not tracking direct to left base 19, not realising that it was because they had called 01 instead of 19. The pilot kept their aircraft visual at all times and proceeded to turn left downwind for 19, realising what they had done. Both aircraft passed approximately 1000ft vertically and 500ft laterally from each other whilst they were turning downwind for 19 and joining right base for 01. By the time they had reached the departure end of downwind 19, the pilot had finally realised what they had done wrong and made a call to the other aircraft with apology. The pilot then continued its flight plan North. The pilot involved had a mindset built up due to the wind favouring a particular runway. At the time of departure, the wind had shifted and was noted by the pilot and made a taxi call for the most into wind runway but called the opposing runway instead as this is what had stuck in his mind. It was on departure from the circuit that the error was realised.
9/11/2024	OCC3874	Tooradin Aerodrome	VIC	Jabiru	J120-C	Jabiru	2200B	OCCURRENCE SUBMITTED TO DETAILS RAAUS: The pilot of an RAAus Jabiru was approaching for landing on r...
OCCURRENCE SUBMITTED TO DETAILS RAAUS: The pilot of an RAAus Jabiru was approaching for landing on runway 22, with a slight right-hand cross wind. The aircraft was lined up for a landing with 2-stages of flap and left rudder was used to straighten the aircraft just prior to landing. As the pilot was in the flare the aircraft yawed to the right (believed to be a gust), the aircraft’s left main wheel touched first, causing the aircraft to yaw to the right and then the left wing touched the main runway. The aircraft skidded to the left, off onto the adjacent grass runway causing the aircraft’s propeller to touch the ground.
4/11/2024	OCC3882	Narromine	NSW	Pipistrel	Sinus Flex	Rotax	912 UL2	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: During test flight of a newly installed propeller, wh...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: During test flight of a newly installed propeller, when the pitch was being adjusted to coarse, there was a strong vibration and a loss of engine speed. The pitch control was immediately returned to the full fine setting and the vibration subsided and the engine speed recovered. Upon landing and returning to the hangar, a strong smell of burnt lubricant was evident. On removing the propeller, it was found that the bearing housing of the pitch change rod had been extremely hot and the bearing was in early stages of total failure at approximately 2 hrs ttis.
1/11/2024	OCC3864	2nm east of Mt Camel. [20km Nth of Heathcote]	VIC	Pipistrel	Virus SW 100	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE SUBMITTED TO DETAILS RAAUS: The pilot was turning onto final having flown 47 nm from Bear...
OCCURRENCE SUBMITTED TO DETAILS RAAUS: The pilot was turning onto final having flown 47 nm from Bears Lagoon. The pilot was at 500ft at 82 knots applying first stage of flap when a wedged tail eagle attacked the cockpit of the plane at about a 45 degree angle. The hit was loud, and the pilot was able to continue landing. There was no damage sustained by the aircraft. RAAus continues to monitor bird strike and wildlife reports at aerodromes to ensure correct ERSA/NOTAM information is in place and to enable reporting to the aerodrome proprietor.
1/11/2024	OCC3868	Sunshine Coast	QLD	The Airplane Factory	Sling 2	Rotax	912ULS	OCCURRENCE SUBMITTED TO DETAILS RAAUS: The pilot of the aircraft breached Class Delta airspace. They...
OCCURRENCE SUBMITTED TO DETAILS RAAUS: The pilot of the aircraft breached Class Delta airspace. They realised immediately, descended and turned left to avoid the airspace. The instructor was new to the flying school and area and was assigned the navigation lesson at the last minute when the original instructor for that lesson had called in sick. Student had flown off track and this was not immediately noticed and CTA was penetrated. A combination of inattention, unfamiliarity with location and last minute change of instructor were in no small part factors in this airspace incursion.
27/10/2024	OCC3859	Canberra Aerodrome	ACT	BRM Aero	Bristell S-LSA	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE SUBMITTED TO DETAILS RAAUS: Student pilot was on solo flight when they lost control of ai...
OCCURRENCE SUBMITTED TO DETAILS RAAUS: Student pilot was on solo flight when they lost control of aircraft on ground during touch and go leading to runway excursion and impact with airfield lighting post. This was not the student's first solo. Student debriefed post incident, rechecked and is now ready to resume solo flying. FTS concerned is reviewing its procedures for sending solo to see if improvements can be made to mitigate against any future occurrence.
27/10/2024	OCC3870	Stumers Creek	QLD	The Airplane Factory	Sling 2	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE SUBMITTED TO DETAILS RAAUS: During a flight from YGYM -YGYM, the pilot was tracking south...
OCCURRENCE SUBMITTED TO DETAILS RAAUS: During a flight from YGYM -YGYM, the pilot was tracking south along the coast from Noosa at 500ft AMSL. As the pilot approached Castaways Beach, 2 aircraft were tracking North above them and allowed those aircraft to pass overhead before starting their climb to 1200ft AMSL. The pilot intended to do a U-turn and head back up the coast to Castaways Beach before turning left for YGYM. As the pilot reached 1000ft AGL, they made a right U-turn and started tracking North. As they completed the turn and was tracking North, they heard Brisbane Centre broadcast as the aircraft entered controlled airspace overhead Peregian Beach. The pilot responded and was asked to call up a separate frequency. The pilot dialled the frequency and announced their aircraft. The controller asked what their intentions were, and the pilot responded that they needed to climb to 1000ft AGL before they could turn right over built-up area. The pilot then proceeded directly to YGYM. Pilot was aware of the CTR proximity but delayed turning to avoid the airspace due to conflicting traffic, by the time the turn was completed, CTR was penetrated. Discussed not flying right up to the CTR boundary before taking avoiding action but instead to plan to commence avoiding manoeuvres some distance away from the boundaries.
26/10/2024	OCC3858	Oakdale, NSW	NSW	Jabiru	UL 450	Jabiru	2200A
20/10/2024	OCC3851	Narromine Aerodrome	NSW	American Legend	AL3	TCM	O-200A	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: During cleaning the aircraft, a small crack in the le...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: During cleaning the aircraft, a small crack in the left hand inner side of the exhaust was noticed. During the previous flights there was no indication of increased CO levels on the RAAus CO electric monitor, which was used throughout flight. The owner contacted a LAME, who further investigated immediately. They found more cracks in the centre section of the exhaust. Exhaust was removed, repaired and re-installed in accordance with manufacturer's instructions by L2 and recorded on HAM. The manufacturer was notified.
12/10/2024	OCC3845	Heckfield Aerodrome	QLD	The Airplane Factory	Sling 2	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE SUBMITTED TO DETAILS RAAUS: While conducting circuits in a Sling 2 aircraft on runway 28 ...
OCCURRENCE SUBMITTED TO DETAILS RAAUS: While conducting circuits in a Sling 2 aircraft on runway 28 at YHEC, the instructor took note of increased bird activity due to recent rain. After a touch and go, with the student in control and full power applied, one of approximately 10 wedged-tail eagles, flew immediately ahead of the aircraft and attempted to evade the aircraft while it accelerated. The aircraft struck the bird on the propeller and the right-wing root. The instructor did not see the bird strike the propeller, but did see it strike the right wing root as it was directly out the window. The instructor took control of the aircraft from the student and executed a rejected take-off. After vacating the runway, the instructor mentioned on the radio that there was likely a large bird on the runway, since one of their colleagues were also operating in the circuit. The colleague conducted a go-around on the next circuit and told them that they could see the bird on the runway. The instructor stopped their aircraft and when it was safe, removed the bird carcass from the runway. The instructor parked the aircraft and inspected it for damage but was unable to identify any aircraft damage. RAAus continues to monitor bird strike and wildlife reports at aerodromes to ensure correct ERSA/NOTAM information is in place and to enable reporting to the aerodrome proprietor.