Cessna 180 E, VH-AUT, Avalon VIC, 9 August 1986

Summary

The pilot was conducting a series of circuits and touch-and-go landings. Both three-point and wheel landings were carried out without problem. On the final landing, touchdown was made in a three-point attitude at a speed of about 45 knots. After the aircraft had rolled for about 100 metres, the pilot applied even braking to both mainwheels. The aircraft immediately veered to the left, and the pilot was unable to stop the swing before the right maingear collapsed. No fault was subsequently found with the braking system of the aircraft, and there was no sudden wind gust or other meteorological condition which might have contributed to the accident. Although the pilot had a reasonable amount of tailwheel aircraft experience, he lacked currency in the Cessna 180. It was likely that on the final landing of the exercise he had unconsciously relaxed his level of concentration.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 198601429
Occurrence date 09/08/1986
Location Avalon
Report release date 16/02/1987
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 Cessna Aircraft Company
Model 180
Registration VH-AUT
Operation type Private
Departure point Avalon VIC
Destination Avalon VIC
Damage Substantial

Cessna 172 N, VH-IXK, Nymagee NSW, 8 November 1986

Summary

The surface of the particular ALA was covered with long grass and areas of low scrub and bushes. The pilot taxied along one of the strips until he came to an area of thicker scrub, and saw markers which he believed defined the end of the strip. During the take-off roll, the aircraft had reached a speed of about 50 knots when the pilot realised that he was approaching the upwind end of the strip. He abandoned the take-off, and attempted to steer the aircraft through a gate in the boundary fence. However, the left wing and mainwheel struck the gate post, the aircraft slewed rapidly and the nosegear collapsed. The pilot later advised that he had begun the take-off from the intersection of the two flight strips, and had confused markers on the other strip for those at the end of the strip selected. As a result, the length available had been about 425 metres, compared to the full strip length of 950 metres. The pilot had not previously operated from the particular ALA. Grass on the strips was between 30 and 45 centimetres high in places and this, together with a number of low bushes, made the strip markers difficult to see.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 198602357
Occurrence date 08/11/1986
Location Nymagee
Report release date 12/02/1987
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 None

Aircraft details

Manufacturer Cessna Aircraft Company
Model 172
Registration VH-IXK
Operation type Private
Departure point Nymagee NSW
Destination Condobolin NSW
Damage Substantial

Robinson R22, VH-IXM, Archerfield QLD, 18 August 1984

Summary

As the helicopter was being hovered the pilots heard a muffled bang. The instructor immediately assumed control and landed the helicopter. An inspection of the transmission area revealed that the rear drive belt was missing. The instructor reboarded the helicopter and commenced to hover taxi back to the hangar. Another bang and other noises were heard emanating from the rear of the helicopter, which was landed and the engine shut down. Substantial damage had been caused to the transmission area. The reason for the initial belt failure was not determine as the belt was not recovered. The remaining belts failed after being overloaded during taxi back to the hangar. It is considered that after the belts failed the actuator continued to run winding itself apart. This resulted in the gross misalignment of the driveshaft and in turn the failure of the flexplate and the damage to the transmission area.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 198400034
Occurrence date 18/08/1984
Location Archerfield
Report release date 16/02/1987
Report status Final
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Occurrence class Accident
Highest injury level None

Aircraft details

Manufacturer Robinson Helicopter Co
Model R22
Registration VH-IXM
Sector Helicopter
Operation type Flying Training
Departure point Archerfield QLD
Destination Archerfield QLD
Damage Substantial

Cessna 180 B, VH-PKW, Wangaratta VIC, 15 December 1985

Summary

A parachute display was planned as part of the program associated with an air show. Three parachutists exited the aircraft and performed relative work before separating and deploying their canopies. Two subsequently landed on the target area without difficulty, however the third parachutist drifted downwind and realised he would be unable to reach the target. During the early stages of the jump, one of his contact lenses had become dislodged and trapped under the eyelid. This apparently had affected his depth perception to the extent where he misjudged the approach and landed among the spectators. An elderly woman was struck and received serious injury.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 198501420
Occurrence date 15/12/1985
Location Wangaratta
Report release date 22/12/1986
Report status Final
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Aviation occurrence category Miscellaneous - Other
Occurrence class Accident
Highest injury level Serious

Aircraft details

Manufacturer Cessna Aircraft Company
Model 180
Registration VH-PKW
Operation type Sports Aviation
Departure point Wangaratta VIC
Destination Wangaratta VIC
Damage Nil

Cessna 172-N, VH-MSJ, Obi Obi (28 km WSW Maroochydore) QLD, 9 October 1987

Summary

The pilot stated that during the flight the cloud base gradually lowered until he found himself in a valley with the cloud on the hilltops. The cloud also closed in behind the aircraft and the pilot decided to find a suitable area and land. He selected an area with some fences running through it and landed the aircraft. During the landing roll the tail section of the aircraft struck a fence post.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 198703513
Occurrence date 09/10/1987
Location Obi Obi (28 km WSW Maroochydore)
Report release date 17/12/1987
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 172
Registration VH-MSJ
Serial number 172-71896
Operation type Private
Departure point Emerald QLD
Destination Redcliffe QLD
Damage Substantial

Cessna 210 L, VH-BEC, Ballina NSW, 30 June 1986

Summary

The aircraft crossed the threshold higher than the pilot desired, and touchdown occurred well into the 900 metre strip. After initially running normally along the ground, the aircraft bounced twice before coming to rest in a nosedown attitude. Investigation revealed that the aircraft had landed on the left side of the strip, where the surface was very rough, and the aircraft had suffered a broken nosegear fork. The nosewheel had become detached and the nose strut was pulled away from the firewall. The pilot was feeling fatigued after completing 7 hours flying for the day. He had elected not to go around when the aircraft was high on the approach, as adequate strip length remained for a safe landing. The rough area of the strip was not visible from the air, and the aircraft entered this area at a higher speed than would have resulted from a touchdown at the normal aiming point.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 198602334
Occurrence date 30/06/1986
Location Ballina
Report release date 07/08/1986
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-BEC
Operation type Private
Departure point Mudgee NSW
Destination Ballina NSW
Damage Substantial

Cessna 210-K, VH-CHL, Dubbo NSW, 14 April 1987

Summary

The pilot intended to conduct a series of night circuits and landings to maintain currency. On the second circuit, the gear was selected down but failed to fully extend. All attempts to lower the gear were unsuccessful. The aircraft subsequently touched down with the partially extended gear, which collapsed as the aircraft slid to a halt. An inspection of the aircraft revealed that the failure of left maingear hydraulic actuator resulted in the loss of hydraulic fluid and prevented completion of the gear extension cycle.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 198702400
Occurrence date 14/04/1987
Location Dubbo
Report release date 15/12/1987
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 210
Registration VH-CHL
Operation type Private
Departure point Dubbo NSW
Destination Dubbo NSW
Damage Substantial

Grumman AA5B, Parafield SA, 23 April 1987

Summary

The pilot was taking a group of mentally retarded children for a flight. On the first flight one of the children became distressed and the flight was terminated. On final approach for the first landing of the second flight, the child seated behind the pilot became hysterical and grabbed the pilot around the throat. A missed approach was carried out and another circuit completed. As the aircraft approached for landing the child again became agitated. The pilot reported that he was concerned about the situation and lost concentration during the approach. The aircraft ballooned and landed heavily.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 198700727
Occurrence date 23/04/1987
Location Parafield
Report release date 18/08/1987
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 American Aircraft Corp
Model AA-5
Registration VH-SYF
Serial number AA5A-0104
Operation type Private
Departure point Parafield SA
Destination Parafield SA
Damage Substantial

Mooney M20-E, VH-IJN, Camden NSW, 7 January 1986

Summary

Approaching the circuit area the pilot selected the landing gear down, but the appropriate gear position light did not illuminate. The pilot then noticed that all electrical systems were inoperative. He subsequently advised that he checked the mechanically operated position indicator, and was satisfied that the gear was down. Witnesses observed the aircraft making a normal approach but then saw the gear collapse shortly after touchdown. Initial investigation revealed that the aircraft battery was fully discharged. The aircraft alternator had failed some time previously, and the battery had been steadily depleted. However, this situation would not have been evident to the pilot, as the ammeter was defective and showed a steady charge at all times. The last part of the gear extension cycle results in a very small movement of the position indicator, and it is considered difficult to assess the precise position of the gear by reference to the indicator. The aircraft handbook warns that a discharged battery may prevent the gear from fully extending by electrical power. The pilot was aware of this warning, but had not employed the emergency lowering procedure to ensure that the gear was locked down.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 198602300
Occurrence date 07/01/1986
Location Camden
Report release date 15/08/1986
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 Mooney Aircraft Corp
Model M20
Registration VH-IJN
Operation type Private
Departure point Camden NSW
Destination Camden NSW
Damage Substantial

Cessna 210-L, VH-OOK, Redbank Plain, 13km SE of Mt Hotham VIC, 5 May 1986

Summary

At about 200 feet above ground level on final approach the pilot noticed kangaroos near the threshold. He adjusted the approach to fly over the animals but the aircraft subsequently landed heavily about four metres to the right of the centre of the strip. The aircraft slewed to the right and struck a mound of rubble, which was about 50 centimetres high. The right maingear and nosegear folded and the aircraft slid to a halt 105 metres after the point of touchdown. The pilot had landed at the particular strip, which was at an elevation of 4500 feet, on one other occasion. The strip, which did not meet ALA requirements, sloped upwards at 6 degrees over about one third of its length and was 21 metres wide. Mounds of rubble from grading lined each side of the strip, and it was likely that had these not been present, damage to the aircraft may have been avoided. The reason the aircraft landed heavily was not positively determined, but was probably related to the pilot's lack of experience with operations into sloping strips.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 198601418
Occurrence date 05/05/1986
Location Redbank Plain, 13km SE of Mt Hotham
Report release date 22/08/1986
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 Cessna Aircraft Company
Model 210
Registration VH-OOK
Operation type Private
Departure point Moorabbin VIC
Destination Redbank Plain VIC
Damage Substantial