Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
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.
8/12/2019	OCC1903	Narrandera Aerodrome	NSW	Jabiru	J230-C	Jabiru	3300A	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot had been conducting circuits and EFIC, on the last ...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The pilot had been conducting circuits and EFIC, on the last circuit a slight vibration was noticed. Late downwind power was reduced and turned early base for RWY 32, power reduced to idle. The landing was carried out without incident. On investigation the CHT and EGT on No2 cylinder indicated no power being produced from this cylinder. Spark Plugs were removed and found fouled with Oil. Removed the head which appeared to have no fault. Inspected the cylinder and the piston appeared to have a seized ring, removed barrell, some marks were noted on the piston skirt and closer inspection of the barrel revealed a crack at the 4 o'clock position at the bottom of the piston travel.
8/12/2019	OCC1889	Captain Creek	QLD	Zenith	Zodiac CH601 HD	Rotax		A report has been completed by RAAus and submitted to the Qld. Police service and Coronial Support U...
A report has been completed by RAAus and submitted to the Qld. Police service and Coronial Support Unit for review and inclusion in the brief to the Coroner.
7/12/2019	OCC1890	Caloundra Aerodrome	QLD	Flight Design	CTLS	Rotax	912ULS	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: After several uneventful circuits, while on landing the aircr...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: After several uneventful circuits, while on landing the aircraft experienced a gust & then wind shear during the flare resulting in a bounced landing.The incident was reviewed by the CFI and identified that the handling and performance characteristics of the aircraft coupled with environmental conditions were the primary contributors to this event. Specific type training requirements have been modified in conversion to the type and additional risk mitigation has been applied by the flight school to prevent further incidents.
7/12/2019	OCC1898	Donnybrook	QLD	Storch Aviation	Slepcev Storch SS4	Rotax	912S	OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The approach was normal, however on touch down, the aircraft ...
OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: The approach was normal, however on touch down, the aircraft began a slow arc turning to the right. All corrective actions had no effect on the keeping the aircraft straight. The aircraft continued for 75m in a slight arcing turn then it came to a rest on a dam wall. On inspection of the grass runway a 75m skid mark was evident. It appears that on touchdown some part of the undercarriage failed, jamming the wheel from rotating.