rotax 912 - metal in oil tank

[johnm]

seen this on the RAA website - location of aircraft not known ! - must have been an anonymous notification but no doubt event is now in the aircraft log ?

 

'21/7/2017 Unknown QLD Tecnam P2004 Bravo Rotax 912ULS During a routine 100hrly inspection/oil change, a substantial quantity of solid debris [crushed alum...

 

During a routine 100hrly inspection/oil change, a substantial quantity of solid debris [crushed aluminum in appearance] was found in the oil tank. The engine was removed and sent to the Rotax agent, where it was stripped and inspected. No sign of contaminant or damage was found. Only other way for debris to enter the oil tank, is through the oil filler cap.'

 

 

[onetrack]

Just another little warning reminder that not everyone loves the noise of aircraft engines, and aircraft security needs to be taken seriously.

 

Cheap little infra-red trail cameras located in unnoticeable positions, that can pick up trespassers approaching parked aircraft, that otherwise have no security protection, would be a worthy investment.

 

I can recall a recent criminal event involving bikies in the SW of W.A. They specialised in milking diesel from construction equipment that was left parked in isolated locations - and they were well-organised, taking up to 2000 litres of fuel at a time!

 

When the construction equipment owners left the machines fuel tanks empty, the crims left notes, threatening to burn the machines if they weren't left with fuel in them, in future!

 

Naturally, the police got involved because of the large scale of the criminality - and I can tell you this much, that hidden cameras played a big part in nailing the offenders.

 

The police arrested the offenders in the main street of Harvey at 02:00HRS, they had a Landcruiser traytop fitted with a bulk tank, and they were towing a specially-constructed tandem trailer, fitted with a 2000 litre bulk tank as well (the tank was well hidden, of course).

 

Despite the degree of organisation of the fuel thieves, 99% of criminal acts are carried out with poor planning, and sometimes utter, outright stupidity.

 

People carrying out criminal acts will often disguise their faces, and even fit false number plates on occasions - but they all need transport to and from the crime, and if your camera is focussed on picking up the offenders vehicle by locating it in a spot where the crims are most likely to approach from, you then have a specific vehicle make, model and colour to home in on them.

 

The motor vehicle registration database, coupled with traffic cams, and private CCTV records, are some of the most vital tools in todays policing efforts.

 

 

[Steve L]

Mmmmmm, Josh Hoch from Mt Isa seems to ring a bell. I'll see if I can find the story

 

 

[Steve L]

Josh Hoch: Pilot charged for tampering with planes, but no changes in the air

 

 

[onetrack]

O.K., I think everyone knows about Hoch's arrest and charges - but reportedly, his sabotage efforts resulted in engine damage - and this was between 2013 and 2016, wasn't it? (seeing as he wasn't arrested until Jan 2017).

 

Hoch also reportedly used glass beads as the engine-damaging product, not crushed aluminium.

 

Using crushed aluminium for sabotage purposes indicates an exceptionally cunning sabotage approach, as finding glass beads raise red flags immediately, whereas crushed aluminium doesn't.

 

Is the above-mentioned, suspected sabotage, in the same time frame, and the same area where Hoch was operating?

 

Or is it a newly-found case of suspected sabotage, and unlikely to be related to Hoch's reported activities?

 

I can think of numerous reasons why an aircraft engine would be sabotaged. Any sabotage is effectively, attempted murder, IMO, and should be treated as such. However, the law doesn't see it that way, and there are plenty of loopholes for crafty lawyers.

 

Reasons;

 

1. Angry anti-aviation-noise activists trying to stop aircraft from flying.

 

2. Bitter romance passions leading to an attempt to eliminate a love rival (more common than you would think - the attempts to eliminate love rivals, I mean).

 

3. A soured business or marriage relationship leading to a disgruntled partner, trying to get rid of the other partner.

 

4. Hatred of other aviation competitors, as appears to be the situation in Hoch's case.

 

Hoch's case is mentioned for committal on Aug 30, so we will possibly find out a little more, then. However, it's not likely that the full details of Hoch's activities will be made public until Hoch's trial, which could be another 9 to 12 mths into the future, depending on the QLD criminal court system load.

 

 

[johnm]

look at 21.7.17 - location: unknown

 

Accident and defect summaries - RAAus

 

 

[pmccarthy]

I think the love rival is the aeroplane in many cases. Though wives generally don't go as far as sabotage.

 

 

[Geoff13]

I think the love rival is the aeroplane in many cases. Though wives generally don't go as far as sabotage.

My missus just goes shopping. Much safer for me to not argue about that. Lol.

 

 

[Steve L]

One track, sorry I should have been clearer, I wasn't referring Hoch could have been involved in the Rotax engine, near impossible I think. Sadly sabotage to aircraft does happen and my reference to Hoch was merely a reference to aircraft getting tampered with. One would think - expect that the aircraft fraternity would have a much higher level of integrity, it appears not at times.

 

 

[Frankus1aust]

I think the love rival is the aeroplane in many cases. Though wives generally don't go as far as sabotage.

And the plane won't sue you for half the house. (But a LAME might)