Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
29/5/2021	OCC2430	Naracoorte Aerodrome	SA	Arion	Lightning	Camit	CAE 3300 SLRE	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: While taxiing back to hanger after normal flight and landing...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: While taxiing back to hanger after normal flight and landing, the lower wheel weldment became detached from left main landing gear leg. Due to slow speed the aircraft simply spun around 90 degrees before coming to rest.
28/5/2021	OCC2428	Caboolture Aerodrome	QLD	Tecnam	P92 Echo Super	Rotax	912ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: An instructor was in a Tecnam aircraft with a student establi...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: An instructor was in a Tecnam aircraft with a student established and conducting circuit training. After a series of touch and goes they were around 900ft on cross-wind and about to turn downwind when they head a radio call that another aircraft (A) was joining early downwind for the same runway. As the Tecnam was about to turn downwind they called aircraft (a) advising they were on crosswind about to turn downwind and did they have the Tecnam sighted? Aircraft (A) replied that they could can see 2 aircraft ahead of them, asking “which one are you?” The Tecnam lifted the RH wing and scanned for traffic and an aircraft was at their 1 o'clock closing right to left at around 50ft height separation. The instructor immediately took control from the student, reduced power and commenced a descent and continued on cross-wind direction. After passing behind aircraft (A) they turned downwind and maintained separation from aircraft (A) . The instructor incorrectly identified the aircraft as particular aircraft type called the aircraft to confirm they received their transmission. There was no response on the first call and on the second call the pilot of aircraft (A) identified themselves and advised they were turning to exit the circuit. The instructor later heard the aircraft re-join the circuit for a full stop landing. The aircraft not involved in the incident was not heard from after the event. This airport is a very busy training location which does not require radio carriage and use. RAAus is reviewing this and other incidents, particularly near miss or proximity events, to determine if a recommendation to CASA should be made regarding carriage and use of radio or if a frequency unique to the location is a possible strategy to reduce collision risks.
28/5/2021	OCC2431	Callington Aerodrome	SA	Jabiru	J250	Jabiru	A3300	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The aircraft experienced fuel starvation on take-off. After...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The aircraft experienced fuel starvation on take-off. After investigation it was found that the aircraft was actually flooding due to an incorrectly adjusted carby float. After resetting the float level and conducting full power ground runs the aircraft was successfully test flown.
26/5/2021	OCC2426	Collaroy Beach	NSW	Tecnam	P2008	Rotax	912 ULS2-01	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The aircraft departed Bankstown for a private flight to the n...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The aircraft departed Bankstown for a private flight to the northern beaches. About 10 minutes before the incident, as the aircraft was operating along the coast, the fuel pressure started to fluctuate, dropping and increasing. The pilot turned the fuel pump on and changed tanks immediately. This did not change the fuel pressure reading, other than this there were no abnormalities. As the aircraft was climbing from 1000ft back to 2400ft to head back to Bankstown, approx. 20 seconds after full power the engine started to drop/ increase/ drop/ increase in RPM. The engine did not stop, but was not operating as normal. The pilot turned back EAST towards the coast and conducted a forced landing on the beach. The RAAus review of the incident did not result in any specific cause and the aircraft has since been operated without incident. However as a result of investigation into the number of passengers which may be carried aboard a RAAus aircraft a Flight Operations Bulletin 0221 was created which clearly articulates the RAAus policy, that only the pilot and one other passenger may be carried aboard a RAAus aircraft. This preculdes carriage of an infant on the lap of the passenger or two children in the passenger seat. Flight Operations Bulletin 0221 was published on 20 September 2021 and forms part of the RAAus Flight Operations Manual requirements for pilots.
25/5/2021	OCC2429	Ayr Aerodrome	QLD	Jabiru	J170C	Jabiru	22B	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot was on approach and there was a faster aircraft beh...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot was on approach and there was a faster aircraft behind the aircraft, also on final. The pilot felt pressured to expedite the approach and land quickly. As a result the approach was conducted at a faster than normal speed, on landing the nose wheel touched down first and the propeller struck the ground. The engine had stopped and the pilot allowed the aircraft to roll onto the grass on the edge of the sealed runway before stopping the aircraft to allow other aircraft to use the runway. The pilot indicated later they should not have allowed the faster aircraft behind them to change their normal approach process. The aircraft had a maintainer assessment for possible damage as a result of the propeller strike.
22/5/2021	OCC2427	Colac Aerodrome	VIC	Jabiru	J170D	Jabiru	2200B	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The flight was a students’ first solo under the supervision o...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The flight was a students’ first solo under the supervision of the Instructor from the ground. The student made a good landing however became overloaded and while braking inadvertently added power resulting in runway overrun into fence. The Instructor has conducted further remedial training with the student to prevent a recurrence.
19/5/2021	OCC2421	Nepean Dam - Cataract Dam	NSW	Jabiru	230	Jabiru	3300A	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The student was conducting an area solo within 25nm of Shellh...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The student was conducting an area solo within 25nm of Shellharbour airport. The student had several interactions with pilots at other airports prior to this incident. Initially the student was monitoring a local drop zone on COM1 and Sydney Centre (124.55) on COM2. The student heard ATC advise another aircraft of an aircraft at their 10 o'clock and concluded that their aircraft was the aircraft being referred to. They looked for the other aircraft but were unable to see it. The student then attempted to contact ATC but made an error in selecting the broadcast switch to COM2 - therefore made a broadcast to the drop zone or another local airport. The error was recognised within about a minute and ATC made several further calls to the other aircraft. As it appeared to the student that ATC could see them they continued to fly straight and level with no change in heading or course. The second aircraft passed above and in front of them shortly thereafter from their 2 o'clock to their 8 o'clock - they had perhaps 5-10 seconds visuals on that aircraft before their paths crossed. While the respective aircraft courses did not result in a collision it could be describes as a "close encounter". ATC stated shortly after that they estimated the vertical separation was about 100 feet, which is not in dispute by the student and they believe the horizontal separation was not more than 300 feet. The student then contacted ATC on COM2 to confirm that both aircraft had passed close by but were both safe and was asked by ATC to squawk ident. The student had not yet been trained on transponder use in the air and was unable to comply - they explained to ATC that they were a novice pilot. The student was provided with remedial training on the use of the transponder. Pilots are reminded of their responsibility to understand and manage all equipment fitted to the aircraft prior to flight.
16/5/2021	OCC2410	Roys Orchid	QLD	Progressive Aerodyne	Searey	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: At Caloundra a pilot departed in a Sling on crosswind climbin...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: At Caloundra a pilot departed in a Sling on crosswind climbing to 2000 ft when a helicopter inbound at approx. 200ft asked if an aircraft was OK, as it was landed on the beach about 1nm north of Roys Orchid. The aircraft on the beach responded that it was fine then took off underneath the Sling. It tracked very low level towards Roys Orchid where it made a departure call.
16/5/2021	OCC2417	Gloucester Aerodrome	NSW	CFM	Streak Shadow	Camit	2200	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Aircraft nose wheel fell off during take-off. The nose wheel ...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Aircraft nose wheel fell off during take-off. The nose wheel is not visible from inside the aircraft so the pilot had no knowledge of the problem until they returned to land. The pilot was then alerted to the problem by people on the ground, and advised by radio that they had no nose wheel. The aircraft has a pusher prop so the pilot was not concerned about propeller damage - and landed as slowly as possible, keeping the nose up to a slow a speed as possible and steering over long grass (for cushioning) before allowing the nose to drop. No injury and only minor aircraft damage.
13/5/2021	OCC2419	Colleambally	NSW	Tecnam	P2008	Rotax	911	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The aircraft experienced an engine failure. The pilot was ab...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The aircraft experienced an engine failure. The pilot was able to make an uneventful emergency landing.
11/5/2021	OCC2406	Collie	WA	Denney Aerocraft Co	Kitfox 3	Rotax	582	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot was conducting a cross-country. They had flown fro...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot was conducting a cross-country. They had flown from YSEN to overhead YCOI; then on track to YBUN via the road / valley at 3500 AMSL. A landing did not take place at YCOI due to cross-wind conditions and absence of a windsock. The AMP Meter started fluctuating wildly. A few minutes later the radio (handheld wired into the aircraft system) failed; then shortly after, the intercom failed. A few minutes later the engine failed. A restart was attempted but was unsuccessful. A successful forced landing was conducted into wind into a sloping rough paddock. There were no injuries and no damage.
9/5/2021	OCC2401	Amberley	QLD	The Airplane Factory	Sling 2	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: On the ground at Gatton Airpark, the pilot planned and discus...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: On the ground at Gatton Airpark, the pilot planned and discussed that they would conduct the flight at 1500ftAMSL around the Amberley controlled airspace to head back to Archerfield. As the flight progressed towards rising ground, the pilot wanted more height for safety. Thinking that they were clear of Amberley, they climbed to 2000ft for better glide options over the terrain. The pilot thought that the restricted zone above them was at 2500ft, not 1500ft. The pilot was contacted by Brisbane Centre and advised to contact Amberley as they were entering this restricted zone. Once establishing contact with Amberley the pilot was informed that they entered the restricted airspace. RAAus reminds members of the need to check airspace activity prior to becoming airborne as activations can occur without notice.
8/5/2021	OCC2414	Middlemount	QLD	Jabiru	J230	Jabiru	3300	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The incident aircraft was being ferried from YMRI to YBOA via...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The incident aircraft was being ferried from YMRI to YBOA via YEML and YDAY. The aircraft had been purchased the week prior to the incident. The buyer had been taken for a flight in the aircraft by the seller, and a pre-purchase inspection had been conducted by an RAAus L2 maintainer and it had not been flown since the condition report. The departure from YMRI was uneventful, as was the climb to planned cruising altitude of 6500 ft. Approx. 85 nm into the first leg the aircraft suddenly began to vibrate. The throttle was immediately retarded to idle but the nature of the vibration didn't change. RPM was increased to cruise setting while the pilots considered their options. The vibration was very noticeable but was not severe, and there were no changes to the readings of any of the engine gauges or to the performance of the aircraft. The pilots assessed alternative landing options (YDYS and YMMU were the closest) but both these ALAs were owned and operated by mining companies and there were restrictions on their use. Also the status of the ALAs was unknown to the pilots so the decision was made to continue towards YEML. At that point (51 nm from YEML) the propeller departed the aircraft. The aircraft was immediately turned towards YMMU and a mayday was declared on the area frequency. Initially it looked like a glide to YMMU was possible but marginal. There was scrub between the aircraft and the end of the runway so rather than risk an undershoot into poor terrain the PIC elected to land in a paddock, with a farm track/driveway identified as an alternative option if the paddock was unsuitable. The non-flying pilot identified obstacles in the paddock and so the aircraft was manoeuvred to land on the farm track. The landing was relatively uneventful apart from the undercarriage running over a rut which made a loud noise but did not cause any obvious damage. CENSAR was contacted immediately after landing to cancel the mayday and advise that both occupants were safe and that the aircraft had not sustained further damage other than what was caused by the departing propeller.
8/5/2021	OCC2398	Lismore	NSW	Skyranger	Vmax	Rotax	912ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: On take-off, the four bolts holding the left hand axle faile...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: On take-off, the four bolts holding the left hand axle failed at about 25 knots. The undercarriage leg dug in and the aircraft rolled forward onto its back.
8/5/2021	OCC2408	The Oaks	NSW	Aeroprakt	A22LS Foxbat	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During a pre-fight inspection the L2 maintainer noticed duri...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During a pre-fight inspection the L2 maintainer noticed during the elevator trim cable had lost tension and was laying on the floor of the fuselage. This prompted them to further investigate and try to understand why the cable had lost tension. With the aid of a flight instructor the trim tab mechanism was operated electrically from within the cockpit to its maximum positions on the in-cockpit indicator. During the operation in the up direction and as the trim tab got closer to its upper position a series of creaking sounds could be heard coming from the rear of the airframe. These noises focused the attention of the L2 maintainer towards the elevator trim tab. The trim tab was again operated electrically through its cycle of up and down, it was quickly identified that the trim tab was not freely moving (binding) and was not returning to its straight and level position when the cable tension was released The aircraft was immediately grounded and the elevator trim tab removed to try and identify the causes for the rotational resistance.