Alltrikes

Threat Error Management Report for Moira Shire Council.

Area: Yarrawonga Aerodrome inner fences between Runways 01/19 & 05/23.

Problem: 
The inner perimeter fences bordering Runways 01/19 & 05/23 are no more than 10 metres outside the runway strip. This means if an aircraft comes off the runway and travels more than 45 meters on the main runway it will hit the fence. If an aircraft comes off runway 05 or runway 23 and travels more than 30 meters it will also hit the fence.

This has become a very real Threat to aircraft on both runways. Five aircraft have been badly damaged after leaving the runway and hitting the fence. All the aircraft were very badly damaged and some of the aircrew were injured in each incident. Although not life threatening, they could have been.

Incidents:
There have been five in the fourteen years that I have been on the aerodrome. I have witnessed all of them. Four were General Aviation (GA) aircraft and one was a recreational aircraft. I was involved in the last incident and this has given me a better view of the problem and cause of the damage to the aircraft involved.

1. RV aircraft landing on runway 01 left the runway and it hit the fence and rolled over trapping the two aircrew inside. They were lucky that there was no fire. I was first on the scene and emergency services assisted with the rescue. The aircraft was a write off.

2. Jodel, two seater aircraft landing on runway 23, left the runway and hit the fence and damaged the port wing and engine area of the fuselage. The aircrew were not injured but very shaken up as this was a slow speed impact they were able to exit the aircraft unassisted. The aircraft was written off.

3. Eagle aircraft two seater landing on runway 19 left the runway in a strong cross wind. The aircraft traveled across the flight strip and hit the fence. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Aircrew, pilot only, was not injured but very shaken up.

4. Piper Warrior single pilot on board. The aircraft left runway 01 in a cross wind and traveled across the flight strip and hit the fence. The starboard wing was damaged beyond repair. This was replaced and the aircraft is now flying again. Pilot was not injured however he couldn't fly again for a month.

5. XT-912 Outback aircraft, two seater. On landing on runway 23 the aircraft left the runway and traveled across the flight strip and hit the fence. This caused the aircraft to roll over. The aircraft was very badly damaged and will probably be a write off. The pilot was un-injured however the passenger received a broken foot. He was taken to hospital and will not walk properly again for at least three months.

In the cases of these five RLOC (Runway Loss Of Control) all except one aircraft would have only received very minor damage, or possibly no damage at all, if the fence was not there.

Reasons for fence:

The central triangle area of the aerodrome is leased to a local farmer. The farmer crops the area and also grazes sheep in this area. The sheep sometimes get through the fence and onto the runway. This means the ARO is required to remove them from the runway and call the farmer. This is a time wasting event. If the ARO was not living on the aerodrome this would take even more time and the aerodrome should be closed by NOTAM until the sheep have been removed.

THREAT:
A fence that is too close to the runway strip… Only 10mts from the Boundary markers on Runway 01-19, and 9mts from the boundary markers on Runway 05-23.

ERROR:
The error is to do nothing and hope another incident does not occur.

MANAGEMENT:
Remove the fence and still let the farmer use the area for cropping only. No grazing in that area. There is a fence that will contain the sheep to the southern paddocks of the aerodrome. 
Problem is solved. There is no more THREAT!

Or continue as is and hope there is no more RLOC's. OH&S should look at this and make an informed decision on what Moira Shire Council should do. To date there has been no legal action taken against the Moira Shire Council for not providing a safe public area. In light of this report the Moira Shire Council can no longer say that the Shire is not aware of a possible hazard.

Report compiled by 
Peter McLean ARO Yarrawonga Aerodrome Moira Shire Council.