2021 half year safety data

Data from the first half of 2021 shows common trends in-line with both 2020 and 2019 occurrences, with loss of control, near miss, and engine failure or malfunction occurrences coming in as the top three most commonly reported occurrence types within RAAus operations.

Across 2020, RAAus saw a downward trend in the number of these top occurrences types compared to 2019, however, this is likely due to a reduction in total hours flown by RAAus aircraft due to impacts from COVID-19. We did, however, see an increase in the number of engine failure or malfunction events. Throughout the first half of 2021, engine failure or malfunction events have reduced, coming in as the third most common occurrence type reported.

Loss of control accidents continue to be the number one cause of fatal and serious accident within RAAus operations, making up two out of three occurrences resulting in serious injury to personnel in the first half of 2021.

Near miss occurrences also continue to be reported regularly to RAAus, occurring most commonly within the circuit area.

RAAus reminds pilots to consider what actions may be taken within your flying operations in order to prevent these occurrence types and recommends talking to your local instructor about further training, particularly in relation to avoiding a loss of control event in flight!