Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
3/1/2020	OCC1914	Caboolture Aerodrome	QLD	Airborne	Edge XT 912	Rotax	912 UL	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Because of the pilots’ weight, (only 25 kg over the minimum f...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Because of the pilots’ weight, (only 25 kg over the minimum for the aircraft) additional ballast in the form of a punching bag weighing 50 kg is fitted in the back seat of the trike, which is restrained with the fitted inertia-reel seatbelt and a ratchet strap because the seat belt is not adequate on its own. The leftover tail of the ratchet strap was wound up and looped on itself the way truck drivers secure their straps, which results in a knotted loop of tape hanging from the ratchet. The nature of the ballast bag has meant that on occasion, the ratchet is to be re-tightened. The resulting extra length of tail was looped over the strap near one of its end hooks so only a short piece of tape with the knotted loop is hanging. It appears the extra tape unwound itself and the knotted loop was pulled to the rear by the Windstream. The tape melted on the exhaust pipe and the knotted loop detached and passed through the propeller. The pilot noted a bump as the leftover tail of the strap hit the propeller, but there was no further indication of damage. The pilot was only two miles from the airfield, so continued on and landed normally. The propeller sustained no damage, as evidenced by the 10 or so minutes the engine ran before the pilot could check what happened. There was no unusual vibration and a visual check shows no nicks or other damage.
30/12/2019	OCC1917	Serpentine Aerodrome	WA	Ragwing	RW11 Ragabond	Great Plains	2180	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The aircraft was being test flown, it was fitted with a new e...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The aircraft was being test flown, it was fitted with a new engine. During climb out a loss of power was experienced at 200 AGL. Due to the terrain being less than optimal for an emergency landing the aircraft was flown downwind along a fence line to attempt to make a base turn onto the originating airstrip. When it became clear that there was insufficient altitude or power available for the intended landing, the aircraft completed an outlanding in the only favourable paddock. This was accomplished with no damage to the airframe or pilot. On exiting the aircraft, it was noticed that a copious amount of oil was flowing out of the cowling. On review the engine appears to have suffered significant internal damage. The engine was compression tested showing complete lack of compression on one cylinder blowing air through the crankcase.
28/12/2019	OCC1913	Moorabbin Aerodrome	VIC	BRM Aero	Bristell S-LSA	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Student noted the master caution light come on and start flas...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Student noted the master caution light come on and start flashing. Passing the airport inbound reporting point, the student descended to 1000 feet approaching 3NM inbound and started noticing a blank noise. Student conducted radio failure check to confirm whether they actually had a failure or not. Student took it as a radio failure. Transmitting blind, they squawked 7600 then made call joining downwind RWY17R, did not hear any response. Joining base, the student heard static and then the tower respond and the radio came back live again. The student was advised to change transponder back to 3000 which they did and they were given landing clearance and landed safely.
27/12/2019	OCC1953	Sunshine Coast Aerodrome	QLD	The Airplane Factory	Sling 2	Rotax	912ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During a dual flight training exercise in the circuit area th...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During a dual flight training exercise in the circuit area the tail of the aircraft stuck the ground during a touch & go. The aircraft had already conducted several touch and go's without incident with the student acting as pilot in command. Winds at the time were 7-10 kts from the East. The aircraft was configured for a crosswind landing with flaps at 10 degrees. During the landing flare the aircraft experienced a sudden high sink rate. The student correctly increased power to arrest the sink but unfortunately also raised the nose too high which resulted in the main gear and tail contacting the runaway simultaneously. The high sink rate occurred too quickly for the instructor to take over and correct the sink and high nose attitude. After the initial contact with the runway the aircraft became airborne again and the student called for a go-around. The instructor took over and elected to land and stop due to possible tail damage. The CFI has since included advice to the Instructors, pilots and students alerting to the potential issues from the proximity of buildings in nominated winds.
26/12/2019	OCC1910	Dublin Town	TAS	Just Aircraft	Superstol	Rotax	914 UL2	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Abeam of Bicheno the Fuel Pressure light indicated red. The p...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Abeam of Bicheno the Fuel Pressure light indicated red. The pilot engaged the Auxiliary Fuel Pump and indicator returned to green. The pilot amended their flight plan to track direct to their home field. This was reported to Melbourne Centre (126.5 Mt Barrow) who undertook to monitor the remainder of the flight. Abeam Fingal the pressure indicator started to flash between green and red again, and so the pilot diverted directly to a nearby airfield. Over some very rough country the pressure indicator dropped dramatically and so the pilot decided to make a precautionary landing on the only cleared area they could find. The pilot declared a Mayday situation and Melbourne Centre monitored them through to the landing. The landing was with the wind, uphill and a little rough. This is a rugged bush aircraft and there is no obvious damage. Search and Rescue called the pilot on the phone, checked on their wellbeing and had them activate their emergency locator beacon. Once a position fix was made S&R despatched the local Fire Brigade to collect the pilot. Pilot revealed that the fuel pumps were contaminated with a sealant type product. The fuel system has been decontaminated and aircraft returned to service.
23/12/2019	OCC1909	Castella	VIC	Zlin Aviation	Shock Cub	Rotax	912 ULS2-01	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Shortly after departure from the Yarra Valley Estate whilst c...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Shortly after departure from the Yarra Valley Estate whilst climbing through approx. 2700ft AMSL and approaching the Glenburn gap the pilot noticed the oil pressure was decreasing and immediately initiated a 180 degree turn back towards the departure point. Within 15 secs the oil pressure had reached 0 and the engine came to a sudden stop. The pilot turned towards a cleared paddock and transmitted a Mayday call on YLIL CTAF then changed frequencies to Melbourne Centre and transmitted another mayday on 135.7 advising of the engine failure and that they were squawking IDENT on their transponder. The aircraft was landed successfully on the side of a gently sloping hill. The pilot then transmitted blind on 135.7 advising to cancel the Mayday and that the aircraft had landed safely. Cause:- Tthe oil cooler outlet banjo fitting had come slightly loose and allowed the oil pump to suck air and cavitate
23/12/2019	OCC1934	Lilydale Airport	VIC	Jabiru	J160C	Jabiru	2200B	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Rocker bushings and rocker shafts on CYL #2 showing e...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Rocker bushings and rocker shafts on CYL #2 showing excessive wear
20/12/2019	OCC1912	Narromine	NSW	Arion	Lightning	Jabiru	3300	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Inadvertent flight into IMC: The aircraft departed Narromine ...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Inadvertent flight into IMC: The aircraft departed Narromine into significant smoke haze. At 500' the pilot could see objects out to about 10NM but could not see the horizon. At cruise altitude of 4,500' visibility became worse. The visual cues indicating the aircraft's attitude became degraded. The pilot could judge pitch and roll only by looking at the paddocks and roads within a 45 degree cone beneath the aircraft. While the pilot was reviewing the latest weather details for Griffith the pilot realised the aircraft was in a 15 degree bank. The pilot then engaged the autopilot to ensure the aircraft maintained wings level. The smoke progressively thinned out towards Griffith and visibility entering the circuit was satisfactory until initiating their turn to base. During this descent the aircraft encountered a lens of smoke which totally blocked the view of the runway ahead, while view of crosswind and downwind remained relatively clear. The pilot estimated where the extended centreline of the runway was and turned final only to find, when exiting the smoke lens, that they had turned too soon, requiring a dog-leg correction to get back on the centreline. RAAus has provided a range of educational information and guidance in relation to the difficulties of operating in areas of bushfire smoke and encourage pilots to ensure minimum visibility for VFR is maintained.
19/12/2019	OCC1905	Tyagarah Aerodrome	NSW	Skyfox Aviation	CA22	Rotax	912	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Upon touchdown the aircraft veered to the left. The turn coul...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Upon touchdown the aircraft veered to the left. The turn could not be arrested and the aircraft contacted scrub on the side of the strip. The rudder horn failed to contact the control stop, as it passed the increased leverage placed on its attachment point causing it to bend to a point where no rudder movement to starboard was possible. This caused a loss of directional control leading to an impact with debris on the side of the runway. The starboard brake assembly was ineffective as debris on the side of the runway tore the fluid feed line from the caliper.
17/12/2019	OCC1902	Lilydale	VIC	Jabiru	J-160-D	Jabiru	2200B	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Cylinder #1 and 2 Exhaust Valves leaking. Found durin...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Cylinder #1 and 2 Exhaust Valves leaking. Found during Compression test.
17/12/2019	OCC1904	Lilydale Airport	VIC	Jabiru	J-160-D	Jabiru	2200B	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: DEFECT: Valve Rocker Bushes and Shafts have excessive wear
16/12/2019	OCC1900	Kanagra-Boyd National Park	NSW	Bristell	LSA	Jabiru	3300A	Fatal Accident involving RAAus member. RAAus accident consultants are assisting police in determini...
Fatal Accident involving RAAus member. RAAus accident consultants are assisting police in determining the causal factors that led to the accident.
14/12/2019	OCC1901	Launceston Aerodrome	TAS	Jabiru	J160C	Jabiru	2200B	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: At the termination of a training flight the pilot was asked t...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: At the termination of a training flight the pilot was asked to contact the tower.The instructor was advised by the tower personnel that a take-off was made without a clearance. On review the instructor didn't recall all instructions from the tower, but recalls the direction to make to make a left turn. The instructor further reviewed the incident with the student and acknowledged that cockpit patter may have interfered with interpreting the clearance correctly. Sterile cockpit disciplines have been improved to avoid future occurrences of this type. RAAus reminds instructors to consider the increased demands on situational awareness and procedural disciplines when operating in controlled environments and to ensure that these elements are prioritised when under Surface Movement Control (SMC) and an airways clearance. Where any doubt may exist, Instructors are reminded to request a repeat transmission from ATC rather than assume a clearance has been given.
14/12/2019	OCC1908	Bendigo Aerodrome	VIC	Alpi Aviation	Pioneer 300	Rotax	912 ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The aircraft had not flown for nine months. Before flight fue...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The aircraft had not flown for nine months. Before flight fuel was drained from carburettors and fuel tanks, fresh fuel put into fuel tanks and the fuel lines purged of stale fuel. The engine was then test run and found to be OK. The aircraft was test flown, and upon preparing for landing it was found that the landing gear would not extend. After making appropriate radio call and departing the circuit landing gear was extended using manual system. A low pass was made and visual confirmation that gear was down confirmed from the ground by radio. Further circuit conducted and successful landing made. Causal factor identified as a sticking micro switch in the undercarriage retraction and extension circuit. Aircraft owner to include a retraction test prior to flight in future when the aircraft is stored for an extended period of time.
8/12/2019	OCC1899	Holbrook Aerodrome	NSW	Micro Aviation	Bantam B22s	Rotax	582	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Having not flown for sometime (overseas, illness, weather) th...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Having not flown for sometime (overseas, illness, weather) the pilot planned to carry out circuits and landings with the CFI as a safety pilot. As they climbed out after first landing on RWY 04, at about 400ft the engine began to surge. Thinking it may have been the CFI testing the pilot they asked if they were playing with the throttle which they denied. As the aircraft still had surging power the pilot decided to turn to the left and use RWY 14 to land. The landing was successful and as they came to a halt, fuel was noticed pouring from the fuel pump. All switches were immediately switched off and they exited the aircraft. On examination, it was discovered that one of the fuel lines at the fuel pump was broken.