Cessna 402 C, P2-SIR, Bankstown NSW, 26 March 1986

Summary

The aircraft was undergoing its first flight following an accident in which the landing gear had been torn off. As the gear was selected up after take-off, a loud bang was heard and shortly afterwards the low hydraulic pressure warning light illuminated. The crew observed that the nosegear was in a partially extended position, and all attempts to raise or lower it to a locked position were unsuccessful. Touchdown was made on the mainwheels and the aircraft slid to a halt on its nose when the nosegear collapsed. The nosegear doors were found to be incorrectly rigged, and the hydraulic system relief valve had been set to a higher than recommended pressure. An hydraulic line had burst, and the consequent loss of pressure prevented the nosegear from extending or retracting. The emergency gear lowering system had failed to operate when a retaining clamp did not prevent the actuating cable assembly from slipping.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 198602322
Occurrence date 26/03/1986
Location Bankstown
Report release date 17/11/1986
Report status Final
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Aviation occurrence category Wheels up landing
Occurrence class Accident
Highest injury level None

Aircraft details

Manufacturer Cessna Aircraft Company
Model 402
Registration P2-SIR
Operation type Aerial Work
Departure point Bankstown NSW
Destination Bankstown NSW
Damage Substantial

Cessna 421-C, N8410, Wollongong NSW, 31 October 1987

Summary

The pilot was carrying out circuit and landing practice. On the third landing the aircraft was landed with the landing gear retracted. The pilot stated that he did not recall lowering the gear on the downwind leg and was distracted during the final approach. He did not complete the final approach check, which included a check that the landing gear was down, and reports that he mistook the gear warning horn for the stall warning horn when he closed the throttle just prior to touchdown. This accident was not the subject of an on-site investigation.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 198702434
Occurrence date 31/10/1987
Location Wollongong
Report release date 20/11/1987
Report status Final
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Aviation occurrence category Wheels up landing
Occurrence class Accident
Highest injury level None

Aircraft details

Manufacturer Cessna Aircraft Company
Model 421
Registration N8410G
Serial number N/K
Operation type Private
Departure point Wollongong NSW
Destination Wollongong NSW
Damage Substantial

Cessna 210-M, VH-IDZ, Caloundra QLD, 24 February 1986

Summary

The aircraft touched down, in a three point attitude, just short of the sealed runway and bounced. The pilot applied power and the aircraft was landed, mainwheels first, on the runway. Towards the end of the landing roll, as the nose of the aircraft was lowered, the propeller contacted the runway and the aircraft came to rest with the nosewheel pushed back against the gear doors. Pieces of metal from the nosegear landing assembly were found along the runway. No evidence was found of any pre-existing defect in the nosewheel mechanism. At the point of touchdown the nosewheel struck the five centimetre high lip at the end of the sealed runway. This impact broke the bearing end of the nosegear retraction assembly actuator which resulted in the nosegear collapsing.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 198602640
Occurrence date 24/02/1986
Location Caloundra
Report release date 05/05/1987
Report status Final
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Occurrence class Accident
Highest injury level None

Aircraft details

Manufacturer Cessna Aircraft Company
Model 210
Registration VH-IDZ
Operation type Private
Departure point Brisbane QLD
Destination Caloundra QLD
Damage Substantial

Hughes 269-A, VH-GMD, "Amaroo", 55 km NNE Brewarrina NSW, 8 February 1986

Summary

The aircraft had been engaged in mustering cattle in flat, open country. The pilot elected to land near a utility to obtain further instructions from stockmen in the vehicle. Approaching the vehicle, the aircraft suddenly commenced to vibrate severely and to lose height. The pilot was unable to avoid a collision with the utility, following which the aircraft struck the ground heavily and overturned. No fault was subsequently found with the helicopter which might have contributed to the development of the accident. The symptoms described by the pilot suggested that the vibration experienced was associated with a main rotor blade tracking problem. It was likely that while manoeuvring to reduce speed prior to landing, the aircraft was placed in a position where the lead and lag action of the rotor blades temporarily exceeded the capacity of the blade dampers. Because of the low height above the ground at which this occurred, there was insufficient time or height in which the pilot could effect recovery.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 198602311
Occurrence date 08/02/1986
Location "Amaroo", 55 km NNE Brewarrina
Report release date 04/05/1987
Report status Final
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Aviation occurrence category Loss of control
Occurrence class Accident
Highest injury level None

Aircraft details

Manufacturer Hughes Helicopters
Model 269
Registration VH-GMD
Sector Helicopter
Operation type Aerial Work
Departure point "Amaroo" NSW
Destination "Amaroo" NSW
Damage Substantial

Cessna 150 M, VH-DXR, "Coomeratta" (125 km WSW Cobar) NSW, 11 July 1986

Summary

The pilot was conducting sheep spotting operations on behalf of a friend. These operations had been carried out during the previous day, and the pilot had also assisted with mustering after flying for the day had been completed. On the following morning, the pilot commenced further spotting at about 0830 hours, and the aircraft was last seen about one hour later. The wreckage was discovered at about 0945 hours. The aircraft had impacted the ground while in a steep nose-down attitude, probably after stalling at a low height above the ground. No fault or defect was subsequently found with the aircraft or its systems which might have contributed to the accident. Remains of a cake and an apple were found in the wreckage. Medical tests revealed that the pilot had been eating immediately prior to the accident, and had choked when food became caught in his throat. It was probable that this incapacitation resulted in the pilot losing control of the aircraft.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 198602338
Occurrence date 11/07/1986
Location "Coomeratta" (125 km WSW Cobar)
Report release date 04/05/1987
Report status Final
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Aviation occurrence category Loss of control
Occurrence class Accident
Highest injury level Fatal

Aircraft details

Manufacturer Cessna Aircraft Company
Model 150
Registration VH-DXR
Operation type Private
Departure point "Coomeratta" NSW
Destination "Coomeratta" NSW
Damage Destroyed

Libelle H201, VH-GYN, 5km North of Bordertown SA, 22 November 1986

Summary

The pilot was competing in a cross country gliding competition when it became apparent to him that an outlanding would be necessary. He then positioned the glider to carry out a circuit for a landing in a paddock. After turning the aircraft onto final approach and deploying full airbrake, the pilot noticed that the indicated airspeed had greatly reduced. He then attempted to close the airbrake but the nose of the aircraft dropped and struck the ground. The aircraft bounced on impact and came to rest 17 metres beyond the initial point of impact.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 198600715
Occurrence date 22/11/1986
Location 5km North of Bordertown
Report release date 23/06/1987
Report status Final
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Aviation occurrence category Hard landing
Occurrence class Accident
Highest injury level None

Aircraft details

Manufacturer Glasflugel
Model 201
Registration VH-GYN
Operation type Gliding
Departure point Bordertown SA
Destination Bordertown SA
Damage Substantial

Cessna 150-L, VH-DGZ, 6 km East of Roma QLD, 16 July 1985

Summary

Before DEPARTURE the pilot dipped the fuel tanks and estimated there was sufficient fuel to complete the flight. Approaching the destination the engine stopped. The pilot selected a road on a newly developed housing subdivision as the only suitable landing area, and an approach was made into the north-east with a tailwind of about 15 Knots. After touchdown, the pilot realised he would be unable to stop the aircraft before a sharp bend in the road and as a result brought it to a stop by steering it between two power poles. The pilot reported that he had flown this route many times and a weather forecast had not been obtained. Had a forecast been obtained and the forecast wind applied, the resulting estimated time interval would have confirmed that there was insufficient fuel on board to complete the flight with the mandatory reserves.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 198503522
Occurrence date 16/07/1985
Location 6 km East of Roma
Report release date 04/05/1987
Report status Final
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Occurrence class Accident
Highest injury level Minor

Aircraft details

Manufacturer Cessna Aircraft Company
Model 150
Registration VH-DGZ
Operation type Business
Departure point Noosa QLD
Destination Roma QLD
Damage Destroyed

Hughes 269 C, VH-IHV, Moorabbin VIC, 21 October 1986

Summary

At the conclusion of a survey flight, the pilot elected to conduct a practice autorotative landing. The wind at the time was varying by about 30 degrees, and was gusting between 15 and 30 knots. The exercise proceeded normally until the helicopter had reached a height of about 10 feet above the ground. At this point the aircraft encountered heavy sink, and the pilot was unable to level the skids before the aircraft contacted the ground in a tail-low attitude. The tail boom was broken and both tail rotor blades were damaged. Although the pilot had extensive helicopter experience, his exposure to the lightweight types such as that involved in this accident was limited. It was likely on this occasion that he did not detect that the rotor rpm had decayed at a critical stage of the approach.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 198601433
Occurrence date 21/10/1986
Location Moorabbin
Report release date 04/05/1987
Report status Final
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Aviation occurrence category Hard landing
Occurrence class Accident
Highest injury level None

Aircraft details

Manufacturer Hughes Helicopters
Model 269
Registration VH-IHV
Sector Helicopter
Operation type Aerial Work
Departure point Hastings VIC
Destination Moorabbin VIC
Damage Substantial

Bell 47-G3B1, VH-ANG, Coleman River (270 km South Weipa) QLD, 3 July 1986

Summary

The helicopter was being used in a program of disease eradication in cattle. After operating for about one hour, the pilot flew to a boat anchored in the river and hovered alongside it while signalling to the crew that the aircraft would return in about two hours. As the helicopter left the hover it was climbed to approximately 60 feet in a left turn through 270 degrees. The aircraft was then descended to an unnecessarily low altitude while gaining speed. Shortly afterwards, as the aircraft approached the bank of the river, the pilot realised that the aircraft was not responding to control inputs as he had expected. He applied more collective control in an effort to avoid flying into the water, but the rotor overpitched and the aircraft struck the water at about 40 knots. No defect was found that would have prevented normal operation of the flight controls or engine.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 198602655
Occurrence date 03/07/1986
Location Coleman River (270 km South Weipa)
Report release date 01/05/1987
Report status Final
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Aviation occurrence category Collision with terrain
Occurrence class Accident
Highest injury level Serious

Aircraft details

Manufacturer Bell Helicopter Co
Model 47
Registration VH-ANG
Sector Helicopter
Operation type Aerial Work
Departure point Kowanyama QLD
Destination Kowanyama QLD
Damage Destroyed

Cessna 172 P, VH-BGX, Orchid Beach (Fraser Island) QLD, 28 September 1986

Summary

The pilot was making a landing approach at the conclusion of a scenic flight. There were horses on the strip and the pilot elected to land long. The aircraft bounced on touchdown and recovery action was not effective before further bounces occurred. The pilot in the right hand seat took control and applied full power, however the aircraft settled into trees adjacent to the strip, and overturned. The strip surface was undulating and the landing was attempted in gusting crosswind conditions. The pilot occupying the right front seat had boarded the aircraft as a passenger. He had taken control of the aircraft because the actions of the pilot in command, following the bounced landing, were ineffective and the aircraft was heading for a building beside the strip. He had no instructional experience.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 198602667
Occurrence date 28/09/1986
Location Orchid Beach (Fraser Island)
Report release date 01/05/1987
Report status Final
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Aviation occurrence category Runway excursion
Occurrence class Accident
Highest injury level Minor

Aircraft details

Manufacturer Cessna Aircraft Company
Model 172
Registration VH-BGX
Operation type Private
Departure point Orchid Beach QLD
Destination Orchid Beach QLD
Damage Substantial