Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
2/8/2019	OCC1773	Clifton Aerodrome	QLD	WB Drifter	WB	Rotax	582	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Whilst conducting a clearing turn at 4800ft (3300ft AGL) abou...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Whilst conducting a clearing turn at 4800ft (3300ft AGL) about 3 nm south of the Clifton airfield prior to a stalling exercise, a student observed a RAAF Hornet jet "pop out" from behind a cloud about 1 nm directly in front of the drifter and head straight towards them at the same height. The Hornet jet then commenced a descending turn to their right passing under the Drifter and to the side a short distance away. They did not respond to a radio call on the CTAF frequency. RAAus reminds pilots of the importance of "see and avoid" and prior to flight check NOTAMs for relevant flight information as military activities in designated danger areas occur regularly in many areas of Australia.
2/8/2019	OCC1772	Clifton Aerodrome	QLD	Jabiru	J160 C	Jabiru	2200 B	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: At 150ft on climb out the engine began running rough and lost...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: At 150ft on climb out the engine began running rough and lost power. As paddocks were available a steady turn was initiated into wind whilst maintaining full power and just able to maintain height. As some power was still being delivered, the turn was continued whilst still over landable paddocks until a successful return onto RWY 24 was achieved. Upon landing, the aircraft was successfully taxied back to the hangar a distance of 600 metres under its own power. The engine was returned to the manufacturer for strip down and assessment to ascertain the reason for the power loss and they have ascertained that the cause was the failure of a main conrod bearing. The engine showed no signs of heat exposure or damage and no other visible problems.
28/7/2019	OCC1768	Penfield	VIC	I C P	Savannah S	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot departed Penfield AD and announced his intentions ...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot departed Penfield AD and announced his intentions to all traffic in the vicinity and was aware of local traffic at Riddells Creek that were conducting circuits and another transiting aircraft nearby at his planned nominated level. Visual identification of the transiting aircraft was not obtained and no effective communication occurred between the two aircraft. While continuing to climb the unidentified aircraft passed directly underneath him with separation estimated to be under 100 metres whereby both pilot took immediate avoidance action. The unidentified pilot broadcast that he understood the pilot had established visual contact based on his earlier call identifying the other circuit traffic. The pilot identified a number of additional standard radio practices following this incident that would have enhanced the effective avoidance of the unsighted transiting traffic and will refine his procedures to communicate more clearly in future.Contributing factors were also highlighted due to the proximity of the 2 airfields and the limited vertical separation available due to overlying controlled airspace. The importance of setting the correct Area QNH to ensure vertical separation was also identified by the pilot. Pilots are reminded that when using alerted see and avoid principles all potential threats must be mitigated by effective two way communications or appropriate flight path planning where any conflict is likely.
27/7/2019	OCC1774	Maroochydore Aerodrome	QLD	TL Ultralight	TL-3000 Sirius	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During a routine departure with 13-15 knots of crosswind the ...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During a routine departure with 13-15 knots of crosswind the aircraft climbed normally to approximately 50 feet then was observed to conduct a steep left turn at low level. Further flight continued as normal, however the tower had enacted emergency responses as the aircraft was not being operated as expected. The pilot regained control of the aircraft and departed for a local flight. RAAus interviewed the pilot, resulting in a suspension of flight privileges until the pilot satisfactorily completes assessment flights with an experienced CFI in addition to assessment of the aircraft to ensure there were no latent mechanical issues. The aircraft was assessed and no mechanical issues were determined as evident. The aircraft has subsequently been sold and the pilot has completed an extensive review and returned to flying.
26/7/2019	OCC1762	Wollongong Aerodrome	NSW	Pipistrel	Alpha Trainer	Rotax	912UL	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: A student was conducting Area Solo practice and departed YWOL...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: A student was conducting Area Solo practice and departed YWOL RWY 16. When returning to the circuit for an overhead join, there was a helicopter and twin engine aircraft conducting circuits on RWY 34. The student called "Joining Midfield Crosswind RWY 34", but mistakenly turned onto downwind RWY 16 and continued on RWY 16, making Base and Final calls for RWY 34. The other circuit traffic alerted the student when they were on final to RWY 16 that they were going in the wrong direction. They then departed upwind RWY 16 and later returned overhead and successfully joined RWY 34 on a mid field crosswind.
24/7/2019	OCC1765	Captain Creek	QLD	Jabiru	J230-D	Jabiru	3300	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot conducted a preflight check with no issues or probl...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot conducted a preflight check with no issues or problems. The heavier than normal rudder required was put down to the crosswind. On touchdown there was a bang with a heavy pull to the right, resulting in the aircraft passing through a culvert and the prop tips striking loose soil.
23/7/2019	OCC1759	Grafton	NSW	ICP	Savannah	Rotax	912ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Defect: Split in the propellor hub
22/7/2019	OCC1763	Sugar Loaf Creek	VIC	Jabiru	SP-500	Jabiru	3300	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot preformed a precautionary landing in a farmers’ pad...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot preformed a precautionary landing in a farmers’ paddock due to the rapidly descending cloud. The paddock chosen was an up-hill into wind paddock surrounded by trees and other paddocks with livestock. The aircraft came around the trees onto low short final to find that there were multiple old electric fences with star pickets every 30-75 metres (an ex-intensive livestock feeding paddock) with many of the pickets lying on ground or half down- these were not visible until close final at less than 100 feet. The pilot was committed to land as the cloud was low and getting lower. The pilot avoided the first fence but was unable to power out due weather and made a hard landing to avoid a hard fence about 200m from the touch down point. Wires were towed across paddock for some distance with total landing roll approx. 75 metres.
21/7/2019	OCC1767	Walcha	NSW	Tecnam	P92 Echo	Rotax	912ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: During daily preflight inspection the fuel was turned...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: During daily preflight inspection the fuel was turned on to conduct a water check, fuel was running out the bottom of the L/H carby. It was first thought that the float was faulty, after removing the float bowl it was found that the outside float support pin had become loose and was letting the fuel pass out of the bottom of the float bowl. Time expired and on condition engine, defective fuel bowl due time and wear.
21/7/2019	OCC1760	Lambell's Lagoon	NT	Jabiru	J160-D	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Aircraft departed from a 600-700 metre private strip with two...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Aircraft departed from a 600-700 metre private strip with two pilots aboard. There was nil or negligible wind, with a possible cross wind. The pilot believed the aircraft ws not responding as usual and elected to remove the power, resulting in the aircraft sinking to the ground, damaging the nose wheel and running off the runway into a ditch. The aircraft flipped upside down and both aboard were able to extricate themselves with no injuries. Members are reminded of the importance of determining go/no-go points when operating from unprepared strips and manage aborted takeoff or landings appropriately.
21/7/2019	OCC1781	Cairns	QLD	Jabiru	J230	Jabiru	3300	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During flight the pilot requested clearance to climb to be ab...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During flight the pilot requested clearance to climb to be above the cloud, which was given. As the aircraft flew the cloud increased so the pilot tried calling 124.6 BN Centre 5 times with no response, they could hear the tower talking to other aircraft so they then tried 126.1, 118.4 and CTAF 132.9 where they spoke to an aircraft in YIFL area who stated 5/5 for the radio check. The pilot again tried 124.6 then 118.4 with no reply. They could still hear other transmissions. The pilot changed headsets to no avail. An aircraft was in the Mareeba area and they advised the cloud to the North-east of Mareeba AD was 3/8. Then BN CEN advised me of this so the pilot tracked over and let down through a hole. Once below the cloud the pilot could talk to BN CEN. Later investigation revealed intermittent connection issue with the radio
21/7/2019	OCC1778	Cairns	QLD	Jabiru	J230B	Jabiru	3300	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During flight the pilot requested clearance to climb to be ab...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During flight the pilot requested clearance to climb to be above the cloud, which was given. As the aircraft flew the cloud increased so the pilot tried calling 124.6 BN Centre 5 times with no response, they could hear the tower talking to other aircraft so they then tried 126.1, 118.4 and CTAF 132.9 where they spoke to an aircraft in YIFL area who stated 5/5 for the radio check. The pilot again tried 124.6 then 118.4 with no reply. They could still hear other transmissions. The pilot changed headsets to no avail. An aircraft was in the Mareeba area and they advised the cloud to the North-east of Mareeba AD was 3/8. Then BN CEN advised of this so the pilot tracked over and let down through a hole. Once below the cloud the pilot could talk to BN CEN. Later investigation revealed an intermittent issue with the radio. The aircraft has also been subsequently issued with a CAR 262AP5 approval to operate over built up areas and the pilot retrained in the relevant requirements.
16/7/2019	OCC1761	Lambells Lagoon	NT	Jabiru	J160D	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During take-off full throttle was applied and the aircraft ac...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During take-off full throttle was applied and the aircraft accelerated until 50-60 knots was reached before rotating. The pilot experienced the nose drop at this speed when they would normally expect lift. The pilot then let the aircraft try to gain further speed. The second pull back on the yoke initiated lift however it was sluggish and felt like they were only a few feet off the ground. At this point the pilot thought the lift wasn't adequate and pulled off throttle and applied the brakes. Trying to maintain a straight course. The aircraft veered slightly left and at the end of the strip nosed into a ditch and embankment before the landing on its roof.
16/7/2019	OCC1755	Bankstown Aerodrome	NSW	Tecnam	P2008 DL LSA	Rotax	912ULS2-01	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Whist taxiing in from a training area solo in an effort to av...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Whist taxiing in from a training area solo in an effort to avoid other aircraft on the apron, the wingtip of the aircraft made contact to the corner of hangar opposite other aircraft. The accident was reviewed with the CFI of the flight school and an appropriate review and remedial training was undertaken. The pilot has since successfully completed their RPC this year.
11/7/2019	OCC1754	Heck Field Aerodrome	QLD	Tomark	Viper SD-4	Rotax	912ULS2	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During dual flight training, the student commenced the take-o...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During dual flight training, the student commenced the take-off roll and, whilst directional control of the aircraft on the RWY was initially fine, the student was unable to maintain directional control as the power and airspeed increased. Although the Instructor directed the student to apply more (right) rudder, the aircraft very quickly tracked off the RWY centreline and started yawing to the left. The Instructor then took control and attempted to correct the aircraft's directional track, reducing the power to idle, but the very soft edges on the left-hand side of the RWY meant the aircraft's left main wheel became quickly affected which further compromised directional control. The aircraft came to rest in nearby vegetation with minor damage only and no injuries to occupants. RAAus has been conducting Professional development seminars through 2018 and 2019 on control management strategies for instructors in the training environment. One of the key elements of this training is early recognition and early intervention in critical stages of flight to avoid Loss of Control (LOC) outcomes. This accident is a good example of how this can go wrong quickly. A significant contributing factor to this event was the transfer of the converting student to a new type early in their transitional training. RAAus Operations recommend that in the initial stages of training that type familiarisation is maintained in training aircraft to limit the variables in operation and enhance rates of learning for students as well as reduce the likelihood of LOC accidents.