2008-06-15: Burner hoses

2008-06-15 Lindstrand Balloons Ltd.: Amendment 39-15427; Docket No. FAA-2008-0283; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-013-AD. Effective Date (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 1, 2008. Affected ADs (b) None. Applicability (c) This AD applies to Models 42A, 56A, 60A, 69A, 77A, 90A, 105A, 120A, 150A, 180A, 210A, 240A, 260A, and 310A balloons that are: (i) Certificated in any category; and (ii) Equipped with burners with serial numbers BU502 through BU792, except BU507, BU511, BU512, BU614, BU643, BU655, BU656, BU719, BU723, BU746, BU749, BU752, BU754, BU762, BU779, BU781, BU785, BU787, and BU789. Subject (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 28: Fuel. Reason (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states: Defective burner hoses have been identified which might develop a leak. A significant leak, if it was ignited, could hazard the balloon and occupants. Since the issue ofAD G-2003-0010 there have been occurrences of hose failure in batches not identified in the earlier bulletins. LHAB Service Bulletin (SB) No. 11 supersedes the earlier SBs and revises the applicability as required. The MCAI requires you inspect the hose and to identify whether the hose is from the affected batch of hoses and to inspect and replace any defective hose and end fitting from the affected batch. Actions and Compliance (f) Unless already done, do the following actions: (1) Before further flight as of April 1, 2008 (the effective date of this AD) inspect the balloon burner to determine whether it has a hose from the affected batch of hoses following Lindstrand Hot Air Balloons Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 11, Issue 1, dated September 24, 2007. (2) As a result of the inspection required by (f)(1) of this AD, if you find a hose from the affected batch, before further flight inspect for leaks and conduct a pressure test following Lindstrand Hot Air Balloons Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 11, Issue 1, dated September 24, 2007, and repetitively thereafter inspect and conduct a pressure test at intervals not to exceed 10 hours time-in-service. (3) As a result of any inspection or test required by (f)(2) of this AD, if you find a defective hose, replace it and the end fitting with a new hose and new end fitting before further flight. This action terminates the repetitive requirement in (f)(2) of this AD. Note 1: You may replace the hose and end fitting at any time to terminate the repetitive inspection and testing requirements of this AD. FAA AD Differences Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: (1) The MCAI and the service information specify repetitive inspections if no leaks are detected during the initial required inspection, until the next annual inspection, at which time replacing the hose and end fitting is required. (2) This AD is considered an interim action because we are not including the mandatory replacement terminating action in this AD (replacement is only required by this AD if a defective hose is found in an inspection or test). The Administrative Procedure Act does not permit the FAA to "bootstrap'' a long-term requirement into an urgent safety of flight action where the rule becomes effective at the same time the public has the opportunity to comment. The short-term action and the long-term action are analyzed separately for justification to bypass prior public notice. (3) After issuing this AD, we may initiate further AD action (notice of proposed rulemaking followed by a final rule) to require a terminating action to the repetitive inspection and test. 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 allowing any special flight permits. Related Information (i) Refer to MCAI United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Emergency Airworthiness Directive AD No: G-2008-0001, dated January 9, 2008, and Lindstrand Hot Air Balloons Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 11, Issue 1, dated September 24, 2007, for related information. Material Incorporated by Reference (j) You must use Lindstrand Hot Air Balloons Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 11, Issue 1, dated September 24, 2007, 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 Lindstrand Balloons Ltd., Maesbury Road, OSWESTRY, Shropshire SY10 8ZZ, England; telephone: +44 1691-671717; facsimile: +44 1691- 671122. (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.