Occurrences

Date	Occurrence #	Location	State	Aircraft	Model	Engine	Model	Summary
25/2/2023	OCC3178	Gora	QLD	ICP	Savannah	Rotax	912 ULS-S-2	STAUS: Review Complete. Just as the aircraft became airborne on a 33 degree day, a willy willy caugh...
STAUS: Review Complete. Just as the aircraft became airborne on a 33 degree day, a willy willy caught the right wing and caused the left wing to impact the ground and the aircraft to cartwheel. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot sustained minor injuries.
16/2/2023	OCC3150	Katanning Airport	WA	Australian Aircraft Kits	Hornet Stol	Rotax	914 UL	STATUS: Review complete. Training aircraft on downwind noticed another aircraft landing on the runwa...
STATUS: Review complete. Training aircraft on downwind noticed another aircraft landing on the runway below them. Both aircraft reported not hearing radio calls. Review of this occurrence identified that the most likely cause due to one or both aircraft being on the incorrect frequency in the CTAF. All pilots are reminded of the importance to check and confirm they are operating on the correct radio frequency within the vicinity of a CTAF.
15/2/2023	OCC3149	Torradin airport	VIC	Flight synthesis	Texan TC	Rotax	912 ULS	STATUS: Review Complete. A solo student returning to the airfield conducted an approach for a full...
STATUS: Review Complete. A solo student returning to the airfield conducted an approach for a full stop. The approach was slightly fast with a crosswind or slight tailwind which resulted in the aircraft touching down mid-runway. The pilot assumed they had enough runway to stop the aircraft, however, the aircraft ran off the end of the runway. Review of the occurrence identified that that pilot landed too far down the runway to enable the aircraft to come to a full stop. A go-around should have been conducted in order to prevent the incident from occurring. The student has been de-briefed by the CFI and required to undertake further flight training before flying solo again. Pilots are reminded to monitor environmental conditions and avoid landing with a tail-wind or crosswind wherever possible. Pilots should always be prepared to conduct a go-around in the event of an unstable approach, including in the event that the aircraft does not touch down at the desired aiming point.
14/2/2023	OCC3164	Redcliffe Airport	QLD	Tecnam	P92 Eaglet	Rotax	912 ULS	STATUS: Under review OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Defect; chromoly tube has corroded int...
STATUS: Under review OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Defect; chromoly tube has corroded internally beyond limits and requires replacement.
7/2/2023	OCC3157	Caboolture	QLD	Drifter	Drifter			STATUS: Under review OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During a circuit approach between an R...
STATUS: Under review OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: During a circuit approach between an RV10 and a Drifter it was established that there was a significant error in the indicated altitude in the Drifter despite being on correct QNH. As a reference point the RV10 static system is known to be accurate, its accuracy is 100% during CAO100.5 tests and dynamically (in air) extremely close by verification of GPS box TAS testing. The RV10 pilot approached the Drifter owner who was alarmed at the agreed 300-400' discrepancy and they offered to investigate it for them. they found the altimeter is simply installed without a static port, just a plastic plug with a tiny hole. This has probably been the method of altimetry on most open cockpit type UL/gyro machines for decades. The problem is that this is not a "True Static" source. The nose cone and windscreen create a negative pressure for the pilots body and especially their feet and leg area, right where the instrument is. This negative pressure means a large error is created and it was such that a very experienced pilot believed he was going the circuit over the top at 1400 - 1500' and was in fact at right angles to aircraft on downwind. They tested a simple static port of instrument tube run down to a relatively benign location along the tubular airframe, and out of direct ram air and less likely negative pressure. Flight testing showed a result within 100', and while not perfect, it is on the limit of altimeter error tolerance. The RV10 pilot is concerned that this is common place and maybe not just in open cockpit recreational aircraft. A lot of pilots and owners believe their instruments as they have no way of proving otherwise and have no way to test accordingly.
6/2/2023	OCC3141	South Grafton Airfield	NSW	Jabiru	J160-D	Jabiru	2200B	STATUS: Review complete. Whilst conducting dual training circuits an inbound call was heard from an...
STATUS: Review complete. Whilst conducting dual training circuits an inbound call was heard from an aircraft from the north estimating circuit time "20”. The instructor looked at their watch and noted that it was already "22". Shortly after the student called downwind and heard the inbound aircraft making an overhead call with intention to join downwind. The instructor radioed they were late downwind and will be "number one", they recall a response indicating that the other aircraft would be number 2. Following a touch and go, the joining aircraft was identified to the right of them and slightly higher on approach for a landing on the opposite runway. The aircraft landed and cleared all runways. Pilots are reminded of the importance of maintaining regular radio communications and conducting a thorough look-out, particularly in the vicinity of an airfield. The joining aircraft reported that a possible radio issue may have contributed to this occurrence. The pilot of the joining aircraft identified that the time on his watch was not accurate this was updated to prevent inaccurate time reporting.
5/2/2023	OCC3136	Bendigo	VIC	Tecnam	Echo Super	Rotax	912 ULS	STAUS: Review Complete. During taxiing the pilot was unsure of their exact location and due reduced ...
STAUS: Review Complete. During taxiing the pilot was unsure of their exact location and due reduced visibility from the setting sun the aircraft taxied into a marker (similar to a gable marker). The marker was being used to close off a taxiway to a road used for cars to access hangars.
4/2/2023	OCC3197	Pallamana Airfield	SA	Fisher Flying Products	Youngster Bi-Plane	Jabiru	2200A	STATUS: Review Complete. Member completed a flight in his personal aircraft after a long break in fl...
STATUS: Review Complete. Member completed a flight in his personal aircraft after a long break in flying due to weather and the local airport main runway being resurfaced. During the upwind and downwind leg the pilot increased the volume on the radio, however on one of those occasions he inadvertently changed the frequency rather than the volume, resulting in other traffic missing further calls. After landing the pilot was informed that he had cut in front of another aircraft and that the other aircraft had not heard any of his calls in the circuit. After inspecting his aircraft he noticed that the radio had a different frequency selected and apologized to the other pilot and advised that he would summit a report. Pilots are reminded of the importance of confirming the radio frequency after touching the radio for any reason during flight.
1/2/2023	OCC3132	Latrobe Valley Aerodrome	VIC	Jabiru	J160-C	Jabiru	2200	STATUS: REVIEW COMPLETE. The aircraft was returning to the airport from a cross country flight of a...
STATUS: REVIEW COMPLETE. The aircraft was returning to the airport from a cross country flight of approximately 1 hr duration. Prior to departure the pilot did one circuit and a safe touch and go. On return to the airport from the south, the pilot listened to the AWIS which reported wind as 13 kts from 260 deg. No other traffic was identified and the pilot elected to join base for runway 27. During landing whilst starting to flare, the aircraft suddenly veered to the left. The pilot attempted to correct the drift in order to regain tracking along the runway. The aircraft then banked to the right and the right main wheel contacted the ground and the aircraft pivoted forward. The prop struck the grass and the aircraft stopped quite suddenly in a nose-down position. Review of this occurrence identified that the pilot experienced a loss of control on landing. The pilot is to complete further dual instructional flight before flying solo. Pilots are reminded of the importance of conducting a go-around in the event of an unstable approach in order to prevent the likelihood of a loss of control during landing. More information, including a 3-part video series on loss of control is available on the RAAus website.
30/1/2023	OCC3124	Caboolture	QLD	Fly Synthesis	Texan 599			STATUS: Under review OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Defect: The fuel selector rotary knob...
STATUS: Under review OCCURRENCE DETAILS SUBMITTED TO RAAUS: Defect: The fuel selector rotary knob on the Texan 550 is not slotted or keyed and can easily be re-fitted 180 degrees out after an annual inspection. Thus, the possibility of indicating that the left wing tank is in use when fuel is being drawn from the right wing tank, exists.
26/1/2023	OCC3131	Templers	SA	Jabiru	J170-C	Jabiru	2200B	STATUS: REVIEW COMPLETE. Airspace Incursion.
26/1/2023	OCC3142	South Grafton Airfield	NSW	Jabiru	J170-D	Jabiru	2200B	STATUS: Review complete. On approaching the circuit at South Grafton, a Jabiru was downwind turning ...
STATUS: Review complete. On approaching the circuit at South Grafton, a Jabiru was downwind turning base on runway 26. A second Jabiru was planning to make a direct approach and 3 mile final on 26 but called they would remain outside circuit and orbit to avoid conflict with the aircraft in the circuit. A Sierra called a 3 mile final on 26 making a direct approach from the north east. They entered late final cutting off the Jabiru. The pilot made a radio call indicating to the pilot of the Sierra that they had cut them off just prior to turning final and they conducted a go around. RAAus conducted interviews and determined possible radio readability and serviceability issues may have played a part in this incident. RAAus suggested the airport re-form a safety committee and have involved representatives from stakeholders at the airport to resolve future issues of this type.
26/1/2023	OCC3116	Wiinnejup	WA	American Legend	AL3	Continental	0-200 A4B	STATUS: Review complete. The pilot was conducting a landing on a one-way private strip with a tai...
STATUS: Review complete. The pilot was conducting a landing on a one-way private strip with a tail wind. The aircraft touched down with a slight bounce and roll-out was faster than normal due to the tail wind. The aircraft veered to the right, and the pilot attempted to control direction by applying left rudder and brake. Directional control was unable to be corrected and the aircraft was veering towards a fence. The pilot then applied both brakes to avoid impacting the fence at which time the tail came up, the propeller impacted the ground, and the aircraft flipped over onto it's back. The aircraft sustained moderate damage including major damage to the engine and propeller. The pilot did not sustain any injuries. Review of this occurrence determined that this was caused by pilot error during landing in conditions not suitable for a one way strip due to the tailwind conditions. Members are reminded of the importance of reviewing local conditions, particularly during take-off and landing, and to avoid operating with a tail-wind wherever possible.
26/1/2023	OCC3119	Moorabbin Airport	VIC	Evektor	Sportstar	Rotax	912 ULS	STATUS: Review complete. The aircraft sustained a hard landing. The right gear touched down followed...
STATUS: Review complete. The aircraft sustained a hard landing. The right gear touched down followed by the right-wing contacting the ground. The aircraft sustained significant damage.
25/1/2023	OCC3120	Heck Field	QLD	The Airplane Factory	Sling 2	Rotax	912IS	STATUS: Review Complete. During landing with a crosswind from the right, the aircraft departed the l...
STATUS: Review Complete. During landing with a crosswind from the right, the aircraft departed the left side of the runway at low speed. Aircraft was stopped by long grass. Pilot in command reported that they mishandled the crosswind landing by not adding enough aileron, and failed to maintain directional control. The pilot had conducted a flight check with an instrutor prior to the flight as they had not operated for an extended time. As such, currency was a possible contributing factor in relation to this incident. The pilot subsequently completed further crosswind training with an instructor.