Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
10/4/2021	OCC2353	Coffs Harbour Aerodrome	NSW	Jabiru	J170-D	Jabiru	2200B	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Immediately following touchdown, two birds flew out of grass...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Immediately following touchdown, two birds flew out of grass from the right of runway, across the front of aircraft. One bird struck upper left wing spar. No damage sustained to aircraft. Bird activity seemed much higher than usual this morning. RAAus continues to monitor bird strike and wildlife reports at aerodromes to ensure correct ERSA/NOTAM information is in place.
9/4/2021	OCC2386	Bankstown Aerodrome	NSW	Aeroprakt	A22LS	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Miscommunication about refueling the aircraft resulted in bot...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Miscommunication about refueling the aircraft resulted in both fuel caps on the Foxbat aircraft not being secured properly prior to flight. Two airport security guards found the unsecured fuel caps on Taxiway Bravo and Taxiway Foxtrot from the Foxbat. The instructor was advised to land as a safety precaution to confirm the fuel caps were secure on the aircraft. The Foxbat was determined to not have any fuel caps secured and both fuel caps were determined to be undamaged and were safely secured back on the aircraft. No fuel had left the tanks at any point while flying or taxiing. Both Instructors involved were issued with warning letters reminding them of the importance of a thorough and accurate pre-flight as part of their pilot in command responsibilities.
4/4/2021	OCC2347	Shellharbour Aerodrome	NSW	Aeroprakt	A22LS Foxbat	Rotax	912ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: While conducting an overhead departure at approx. 1700 feet, ...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: While conducting an overhead departure at approx. 1700 feet, an engine temperature warning was heard via the headset. The cylinder head temperature was at the end of the range, in the red. Throttle was reduced to idle, a descent was made to the downwind leg of the active runway (34), and an uneventful landing was made with a tight circuit. An inspection revealed that the coolant hose had fully detached. An uneventful preflight check and run-up was conducted prior to flight with no sign off detachment of the the coolant hose. Members are reminded of the importance of conducting a thorough pre-flight inspection, including the removal of engine cowls to check for any potential concerns, prior to flight.
2/4/2021	OCC2346	Bundaberg Aerodrome	QLD	Aeroprakt	A22LS Foxbat	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The student completed the area solo portion of a flight and d...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The student completed the area solo portion of a flight and during circuit practice, completed a successful touch and go landing on runway 14. The wind was forecast to strengthen later that day, but was picking up and gusting up to 19 knots so the student decided to cease circuits and make the next landing a full stop. At this time a Dash-8 arrived in the circuit, the Foxbat would be number two to this aircraft. The Foxbat extended the downwind leg and completed two orbits to give the Dash-8 time to backtrack runway 14 after it landed. (they were the only two aircraft in the circuit). On final approach the windsock was showing strong gusty conditions, the windsock was erect it still favoured runway 14 but occasionally gusting to a left crosswind. As the pilot flared, the aircraft lost lift approx. one meter from the ground and landed heavily damaging the nose wheel steering and striking the propeller on the ground.
2/4/2021	OCC2344	Tantawangalo	NSW	Aerochute	Hummerchute	Rotax	582	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: It was reported to RAAus that after the powered parachute had...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: It was reported to RAAus that after the powered parachute had departed Frog Hollow airfield and appeared to not be able to maintain altitude, descending into trees and seriously injuring the pilot and passenger. Subsequent interview with the pilot confirmed lee side rotors were present, resulting in the aircraft being unable to outclimb the side of the mountain. Pilots are encouraged to gather weather information, even for local flights conducted regularly. to ensure the conditions are conducive to the proposed flight intended.
1/4/2021	OCC2343	Luskintyre Aerodrome	NSW	Aeroprakt	A22LS Foxbat	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: On final for a short field approach into Luskintyre, the pass...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: On final for a short field approach into Luskintyre, the passenger accidentally nudged the control column backwards when pulling their arm back after pointing out kangaroos to the pilot to the side of runway. The pilot could not recover in time and aircraft entered a stall about 50ft above the runway. the aircraft landed hard on the left undercarriage, then onto the nose wheel, which collapsed resulting in a prop strike on the grass runway.
28/3/2021	OCC2337	Boonah	QLD	Austflight ULA	Drifter A-582	Rotax	582	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During a local flight, at a cruise altitude of 1600’, the en...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During a local flight, at a cruise altitude of 1600’, the engine RPM increased rapidly and a complete loss of thrust was immediately noticed. The throttle was closed, and a turn made towards what appeared to be a suitable farm paddock at altitude. During the descent, the throttle was advanced again, and a small amount of thrust was briefly regained before the engine RPM again increased rapidly and thrust completely lost. At low altitude, the previously identified paddock was assessed as unsuitable, and a late turn was required to an option B field. Due to the required turn at a low level, the resultant landing was made at a higher than optimum sink rate to maintain flying speed and therefore a heavy landing was made into some long grass that covered underlying rough terrain. On landing the engine was shut down, the electrical system turned off and the aircraft was vacated without injury to the pilot, who was the sole occupant. During the post-landing initial inspection, it was apparent that the hard landing resulted in a bent landing gear leg and fuselage tube just rear of the propeller. On checking the engine, the propeller free-wheeled with no usual engine compression forces present. Pulling on the propeller the shaft was free to move in a rearward direction indicating a catastrophic gearbox failure.
28/3/2021	OCC2336	Kingaroy Aerodrome	QLD	The Airplane Factory	Sling 2	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: There was an IFR Aircraft in the area conducting instrument ...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: There was an IFR Aircraft in the area conducting instrument approach training. The Sling pilot was listening to their calls, but they heard nothing from them after the Sling joined the circuit. The Sling pilot made a 10 mile call to join downwind for RWY 16 on 127.45 and this is when they heard the IFR pilot state they were inbound for a missed approach. They were to the north of the field at the time of the radio call. The Sling pilot made their downwind call, they also made another radio call on Final RWY 16 for a full stop. At between 300 and 500 feet AGL on final, a twin engine aeroplane, white and blue, flew from behind the Sling, under and slightly to their right very close, maybe 10-20m away from their wing tip. The pilot heard it before they saw it. It then climbed over the RWY. The Sling pilot made a call to them to ask what they were doing with no response. The pilot checked their radio to ensure the correct frequency, it was. The glider operation crew came over to see if the Sling pilot was ok and to say they saw the whole thing. They then rechecked the radio to ensure on the correct frequency again and conducted a radio check with their hand held radio at which point they confirmed readability was 5. The pilot could hear them 5. The gliding club member witnessed that the twin aircraft didn't have their landing gear down and they didn't hear from them when they departed the area. The pilot called their instructor to communicate what had happened. The pilot was on a Solo Nav, the instructor said to recheck the radio when taxiing (came through 5) and recheck when airborne (came through 5) Radio was all OK and they returned to the Sunshine Coast with no further incident. This report has been referred to CASA for their review.
27/3/2021	OCC2354	Oakland - Jereilderie	NSW	Jabiru	J160	Jabiru	2200B	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Cruising at 2500ft (approx. 500ft below broken cloud). The en...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Cruising at 2500ft (approx. 500ft below broken cloud). The engine suddenly lost power and revs, the pilot pulled on the carby heat, switched on the electric fuel pump, trimmed for best rate of decent and began selecting suitable landing spots. The engine was still running at 2200rpm so the pilot decided to land while still under reduced power. They turned down wind to cover more ground and selected suitable paddock noting fences, trees and looking for power lines. Turning into the wind the pilot selected 1st flap, reduced power to idle and landed as the stall warning started to sound. The motor still running, so the pilot turned off all switches and exited the aircraft.
26/3/2021	OCC2334	Casino Aerodrome	NSW	Aeroprakt	A32 Vixxen	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: While in final stage of landing at Casino runway 10, the airc...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: While in final stage of landing at Casino runway 10, the aircraft was buffeted by sudden gusts of cross wind. The pilot decided to go around and advanced power to full. When stable they commenced a climb, but immediately the engine stopped. There were no prior engine symptoms, both fuel taps were on, and in the pre-landing checks all instruments were in the normal range. The aircraft was at a height of about 3 meters above the runway centre at the time. The aircraft seemed to stop forward motion immediately. The aircraft did not stall but dropped tail first to the runway, then nosed over onto the main landing gear, before bouncing slightly in the air and hitting the ground again quite hard, propeller and nose first, it skidded some l0 meters along the runway. The entire time from engine stop to skid stop was a few seconds only. Electrical systems and fuel were shut off immediately. An engineering assessment of the engine was conducted with no obvious issues identified to have caused the engine stoppage.
26/3/2021	OCC2333	Shellharbour Aerodrome	NSW	Jabiru	J160C	Jabiru	2200	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Whilst conducting dual Engine Failure After Take OFF (EFATO) ...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Whilst conducting dual Engine Failure After Take OFF (EFATO) revision, the student did one EFATO and landed firmly but acceptably then taxied to runway threshold for another attempt. After take-off the instructor pulled the throttle back to idle at approx. 50 feet. The student lowered nose, then immediately flared, too high and a high rate descent ensued after which a very heavy landing took place. The aircraft bounced back into the air, the instructor tried to apply full throttle and forward stick but was unable in the time available to prevent a second extremely heavy landing which damaged the landing-gear, propeller and fuselage. RAAus has interacted with the Senior Instructor who has made some changes to the processes for conduct of EFATO to prevent a recurrence.
26/3/2021	OCC2335	Bribie Island	QLD	Lea Kestrel	Kestrel	Rotax	503	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Whilst travelling the north track along coast of Bribie Islan...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Whilst travelling the north track along coast of Bribie Island, the aircraft experienced rough running engine. The decision was made to force land on Eastern beach of Bribie Island adjacent to Pelican Waters. The aircraft landed safely, however damage was sustained to nose cone and undercarriage due to soft sand. Aircraft was left secured with tie downs awaiting recovery the next day. When recovery team had arrived for aircraft removal it had become evident that someone had stolen whole engine assembly overnight. The aircraft was removed successfully from beach. Due to engine being stolen from this aircraft it is unable to be determined what caused the rough running.
25/3/2021	OCC2341	Elmore Aerodrome	VIC	Tecnam	P92 Echo super	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: A student pilot conducting their flight test for the issue of...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: A student pilot conducting their flight test for the issue of a pilot certificate with their CFI lost control on take-off substantially damaging the aircraft. At the time of the accident, the flight was being conducted at a local grass Aircraft Landing Area (ALA). The aircraft veered left on take-off and despite CFI intervention the aircraft became airborne with a high nose attitude and hit the top of a fence. The aircraft impacted the ground and rotated 180 degrees with no injuries received by the student or the CFI. The student has subsequently completed significant remedial training with several instructors and has now been issued with a Pilot Certificate. The CFI has reviewed their processes and added additional procedures to help mitigate the risk of a similar incident occurring in the future.
25/3/2021	OCC2385	Robina	QLD	Aeroprakt	A32 Vixxen	Rotax	912	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: ATC reported an aircraft had entered Class C airspace. The Vi...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: ATC reported an aircraft had entered Class C airspace. The Vixxen flew from Caboolture via Univat lane tracking to Murwillumbah - planned to fly outside Class C passing Gold Coast CTR at 1500 ft. The aircraft tracked according to plan which involved moving across from the C LL 1500 zone north of Gold Coast CTR at Robina south west into the C LL 2500 area tracking west of the boundary line and maintaining 1500. The pilot believes this is what they did. The pilot had no contact with the Gold Coast ATC, but did respond later to them when they were trying to identify an aircraft, which appeared to be their aircraft - at Mt Somerville area. ATC was talking to another aircraft and stated that they had an unidentified aircraft in the area the Vixxen was, with no altitude reading. The pilot of the Vixxen called in to state it was probably their aircraft, their location and intention. ATC came back confirming their call and asked their intention, which the pilot stated was to clear Mt Somerville and turn towards Murwillumbah. ATC restated that the altitude was not being read and the pilot replied they would have it looked at once on the ground. No mention was made by ATC of any intrusion into Class C airspace during this conversation. RAAus confirmed with the pilot that they understood the requirements for avoidance of controlled airspace, having held a CASA CPL in the past.
24/3/2021	OCC2332	Innisfail Aerodrome	QLD	Jabiru	J-160C	Jabiru	2200A	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During take-off on runway 14 at Innisfail airport, QLD, the P...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During take-off on runway 14 at Innisfail airport, QLD, the PIC observed passing overhead another aircraft simultaneously rolling on runway 03. The pilot tried to call the other aircraft, but without any success. Prior to departure, the pilot followed normal communication procedure advising of taxiing, holding short, backtracking and lining up on Runway 14 whilst maintaining a good lookout. The pilot did not see any other traffic, confirming an assumption that another aircraft previously seen on the ground had departed. The pilot had a process to confirm correct radio frequency, but believes they inadvertently pressed the frequency change button and switched to the standby frequency on their radio. The pilot identified their error with the incorrect frequency selected, however was unable to contact the other aircraft in flight. The next day, the pilot was able to contact the pilot of the other aircraft in order to discuss the incident at length via phone. The pilot advised that they have amended their own departure checklist to ensure that they have processes in place to confirm the frequency in use. Pilots are reminded to ensure thorough checks are in place to ensure correct radio frequency is selected and operation of their radio is confirmed - This may be achieved by requesting a radio check prior to takeoff where this is possible. Pilots should also ensure a thorough lookout is maintained and not make an assumption that no other traffic is operating in the vicinity if no radio calls are heard. This example is a great demonstration of a pilot acknowledging their mistake, reporting this occurrence and reviewing procedures to ensure a repeat occurrence does not take place in the future. This pilot is to be commended for reporting this issue and enabling other pilots to learn from their experience.