Aircraft sabotage at Tyabb
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Mel-burn
Posts: 4,875
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Aircraft sabotage at Tyabb
Guys, be on the lookout for this kind of thing no matter where you operate from. It's quite sad that this can happen as individuals find they need to resort to these measures.
Please take note that we appear to have had an incident of deliberate aircraft interference or possibly sabotage.
*
An aircraft parked on the grass area, to the south of the clubhouse, was last weekend found to have metal shavings/filings present in and around the oil filler tube.
The engine has been dismantled and the metal appears to have been deliberately tipped into the engine through the oil filler.
Authorities have been notified and police are investigating ….* Fortunately this was discovered during a pre-flight check.
*
An aircraft parked on the grass area, to the south of the clubhouse, was last weekend found to have metal shavings/filings present in and around the oil filler tube.
The engine has been dismantled and the metal appears to have been deliberately tipped into the engine through the oil filler.
Authorities have been notified and police are investigating ….* Fortunately this was discovered during a pre-flight check.
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: `
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A big thumbs up to the pilot who took the trouble to do a proper preflight. 
I have seen many just do a little walk round, move ailerons and elevator and think it is all ok.
Even when I flew jumpers I did a preflight before the next load. One never knew what might have happened during the high speed descent and landing.
I have seen many just do a little walk round, move ailerons and elevator and think it is all ok.Even when I flew jumpers I did a preflight before the next load. One never knew what might have happened during the high speed descent and landing.
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Australia
Age: 62
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are some r'soles around, nothing like a good preflight.
I recall around 20 yes ago, the owner of a C210 got airborne only t o discover he had control problems. He landed safely and when trying to determine the source of the control problems found damage to the elevator.
The aircraft had been x hired to a charter company and the last pilot, a CPL in his 20's, landed short and hit a cone marker doing the damage. So as not to get in trouble he didn't say a word.
A year or so prior he took off with the undercarriage selected up, in a C210 again with the inevitable result. The federal cops paid myself and another person a visit advising that the pilot suspected one of us had selected the gear up.
He got caught out twice, and I think isnow employed by Jetstar.
Do a good preflight and be aware that not every one you meet is honorable, some are purely evil.
I recall around 20 yes ago, the owner of a C210 got airborne only t o discover he had control problems. He landed safely and when trying to determine the source of the control problems found damage to the elevator.
The aircraft had been x hired to a charter company and the last pilot, a CPL in his 20's, landed short and hit a cone marker doing the damage. So as not to get in trouble he didn't say a word.
A year or so prior he took off with the undercarriage selected up, in a C210 again with the inevitable result. The federal cops paid myself and another person a visit advising that the pilot suspected one of us had selected the gear up.
He got caught out twice, and I think isnow employed by Jetstar.
Do a good preflight and be aware that not every one you meet is honorable, some are purely evil.
I am always a little suspicious of "attempted sabotage" stories. Fuel stealing? Yes. I'm wracking my brain trying to remember the details of one "case". I'll post when it comes to me.
There was a charter operator in the Bankrun business in the 1990's that suffered some Chieftain sabotage while parked overnight at Bankstown.
As I recall, there was some sort of acid or strong alkaline poured into the oil filler, which ate through the sump (long time ago now, don't shoot me
)
The main problem for the coppers would have been too many people with a motive to cause the guy grief.
As I recall, there was some sort of acid or strong alkaline poured into the oil filler, which ate through the sump (long time ago now, don't shoot me
)The main problem for the coppers would have been too many people with a motive to cause the guy grief.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Secret base in Hoth...
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The last crash out at Jandakot was labelled as a sabotage attempt on the business, owner even went on national TV to make this claim.
Jandakot plane crash not sabotage | Perth Now
Another case many moons ago... Pilot did a very detailed pre-flight to find that his C210 had been filled with several litres of Jet-A1 the night before. Only found it as he drained the tanks and noticed the kero smell.
Jandakot plane crash not sabotage | Perth Now
Another case many moons ago... Pilot did a very detailed pre-flight to find that his C210 had been filled with several litres of Jet-A1 the night before. Only found it as he drained the tanks and noticed the kero smell.
Sunfish,
Not sure if you are thinking of this one - Must have been late 90s a Lancair overnighted on a flight between WA and eastern states somewhere in SA. The aircraft was refueled upon arrival and parked up overnight. Next morning pilots boarded and soon after takeoff experienced engine failure resulting in stall and impact with the ground.
Investigations found what appeared to be two circular marks on the ground lining up with the fuel drain positions and consistent with the size of 20 litre drums.
The sad thing was that two very experienced pilots died each perhaps believing that the other had done the fuel check as part of the daily.
I don't believe anyone was ever brought to justice for that.
Not sure if you are thinking of this one - Must have been late 90s a Lancair overnighted on a flight between WA and eastern states somewhere in SA. The aircraft was refueled upon arrival and parked up overnight. Next morning pilots boarded and soon after takeoff experienced engine failure resulting in stall and impact with the ground.
Investigations found what appeared to be two circular marks on the ground lining up with the fuel drain positions and consistent with the size of 20 litre drums.
The sad thing was that two very experienced pilots died each perhaps believing that the other had done the fuel check as part of the daily.
I don't believe anyone was ever brought to justice for that.
One of the pilots in the Lancair was a VERY experienced and senior, ex airline pilot / instructor.
A Gentleman as well.
And yes, I know the aircraft was refuelled the night before........but.....
The moral is, YOU as the PIC - ALWAYS do a thorough pre-flight.
Similarly, a Be35 pilot at KG claimed that someone was milking his fuel at one time.
Didn't happen to the 210's parked nearby - which would have been much easier to siphon. BIG enquiry.
Turned out to be his fuel bladder had perished and was leaking badly.....
No range in that one either.
Like the many VICTA pilots who couldn't get that silly little flexing dip stick down the hole - only to find the bladder was pulled away from the top and was preventing it. The gauge said OK so they went - only to find the gauge lied when the bladder fell away from the restraining nipples....
No range in that one either.
And so it goes......
A Gentleman as well.
And yes, I know the aircraft was refuelled the night before........but.....
The moral is, YOU as the PIC - ALWAYS do a thorough pre-flight.
Similarly, a Be35 pilot at KG claimed that someone was milking his fuel at one time.
Didn't happen to the 210's parked nearby - which would have been much easier to siphon. BIG enquiry.
Turned out to be his fuel bladder had perished and was leaking badly.....
No range in that one either.
Like the many VICTA pilots who couldn't get that silly little flexing dip stick down the hole - only to find the bladder was pulled away from the top and was preventing it. The gauge said OK so they went - only to find the gauge lied when the bladder fell away from the restraining nipples....
No range in that one either.
And so it goes......
Last edited by Ex FSO GRIFFO; 25th Aug 2010 at 10:44.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Queensland
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Both filled tanks syphoned dry overnight on my Mooney 231 at Caloundra......police didn't want to know, and 2 full buckets of water drained from my twinco (mains) at Kempsey. Had a physical disagreement with a car dealer the previous day.....no proof. 
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Mel-burn
Posts: 4,875
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you were going to sabotage an aircraft and had half a conscience you'd just scratch the crap out of it or something obvious otherwise you're talking murder, not a good result for what might be some minor revenge.
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Greta
Age: 67
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
recall a twin turbo prop in Cairns some time back that had a ten cent piece fed down the compressor intake and did some expensive damage then couple of days later the low life did the other side at half the cost (5c)
training organisation back in 90s at YBK had aircraft broken into and instruments radios taken to with a hammer.
amazing people in this world.
training organisation back in 90s at YBK had aircraft broken into and instruments radios taken to with a hammer.
amazing people in this world.
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Australia
Age: 62
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When I was instructing, first to work on two occasions to discover first time a piper Cherokee next a 1x Aztec, burnt to the ground. Have photo's, might try and post them.
Soon after ga couple of weeks) a bloke turned up looking for a care takers position.
Police ended up charging him, I recall being in the witness seat, but not the outcome.
He wanted somewhere to park his caravan and a paid job, he got both for a short while.
Soon after ga couple of weeks) a bloke turned up looking for a care takers position.
Police ended up charging him, I recall being in the witness seat, but not the outcome.
He wanted somewhere to park his caravan and a paid job, he got both for a short while.
Both filled tanks syphoned dry overnight on my Mooney 231 at Caloundra
), the council has installed security cameras at both ends of the apron.FANTASTIC!
(Mind you it did look a bit sus the morning I arrived at 4am, discovered the previous pilot had overfilled the B55 for the number of pax I had to carry and got a real good look from the council guy doing his rounds at 5am (still dark) while I was siphoning the excess fuel into several 20L jerrys by torchlight!
)
Contrary to popular belief sugar does not dissolve in petrol, clog your filters and lines though.
But yes, I think itwould definitely clog the fuel lines/filters.
DF.