2008-04-15: Self seal valves

2008-04-15 Cameron Balloons Ltd.: Amendment 39-15387; Docket No. FAA-2008-0195; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-008-AD. Effective Date (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 25, 2008. Affected ADs (b) None. Applicability (c) This AD applies to all of the balloon models listed below, certificated in any category, that incorporate Cameron Balloons Ltd. fuel cylinders fitted with rego-type cylinder liquid valves part number (P/N) CB-0824-0001 that are date-stamped from 12/05 through 08/06: Models AX5-42 (S.1), AX5-42 BOLT, AX6-56 (S.1), AX6-56A, AX6- 56Z, AX6-56 BOLT, AX7-65 (S.1), AX7-65Z, AX7-65 BOLT, AX7-77 (S.1), AX7-77A, AX7-77Z, AX7-77 BOLT, AX8-90 (S.1), AX8-90 (S.2), AX8-105 (S.1), AX8-105 (S.2), AX9-120 (S.1), AX9-120 (S.2), AX9-140 (S.2), AX10-160 (S.1), AX10-160 (S.2), AX10-180 (S.1), AX10-180 (S.2), AX210 (S.2), AX11-225 (S.2), and AX11-250 (S.2) balloons. Subject (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 28: Fuel. Reason (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states: Defective inlet self-seal valves have been identified. Detachment of a seal inside the valve could result in partial or complete blockage of the burner supply. On a hopper balloon this failure would result in an uncontrolled descent. In some circumstances this could result in serious injury. The MCAI requires you inspect the fuel cylinder to identify whether the cylinder liquid valve is from the affected batch of valves and replace any self-seal valve found from the affected batch. Actions and Compliance (f) Unless already done, do the following actions. (1) Before further flight as of March 25, 2008. (the effective date of this AD), inspect any gas cylinder to identify whether the cylinder liquid valve is from the affected batch of valves following Cameron Balloons Ltd. Service Bulletin No. SB16, dated January 8, 2008; and Cameron Balloons Ltd. Service Bulletin No. SB17,dated January 8, 2008. (2) For single cylinder balloons or multi-cylinder hopper balloons: Before further flight, if you find any cylinder liquid valve from the affected batch (rego-type cylinder liquid valve P/N CB-0824-0001 which is date-stamped from 12/05 through 08/06) installed as a result of the inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, replace the self-seal valve following Cameron Balloons Ltd. Service Bulletin No. SB16, dated January 8, 2008; and Cameron Balloons Ltd. Service Bulletin No. SB17, dated January 8, 2008. FAA AD Differences Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences. Other FAA AD Provisions (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Taylor Martin, Aerospace Engineer,FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4138; fax: (816) 329-4090. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service. (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. Special Flight Permit (h) We are not issuing any special flight permit for you to operate any single cylinder or multi-cylinder (used on a hopper balloon) balloon which has any rego-type cylinder liquid valve P/N CB-0824-0001 fitted and which is date-stamped from 12/05 through 08/ 06. Related Information (i) Refer to MCAI United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority AD No.: G-2008-0002, dated January 14, 2008; Cameron Balloons Ltd. Service Bulletin No. SB16, dated January 8, 2008; and Cameron Balloons Ltd. Service Bulletin No. SB17, dated January 8, 2008, for related information. Material Incorporated by Reference (j) You must use Cameron Balloons Ltd. Service Bulletin No. SB16, dated January 8, 2008; and Cameron Balloons Ltd. Service Bulletin No. SB17, dated January 8, 2008, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Cameron Balloons Ltd., St. Johns Street, Bedminster, Bristol; BS3 4NH; telephone: +44 (0) 117 9637216; fax: +44 (0) 177 966168; or Cameron Balloons, P.O. Box 3672, Ann Arbor, Michigan 46106; telephone: (734) 426-5525; fax: (734) 426-5026. (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal- register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.