Aircraft
Certification Service Washington, DC U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration
CE-10-31
May 5, 2010
This is information only. Recommendations
aren’t mandatory.
Introduction
This special airworthiness information bulletin alerts owners and
operators of all models of free manned balloons with gondolas that
carry more than four passengers of an airworthiness concern,
specifically the potential risk of injury during landing with undivided
gondolas.
The airworthiness concern is not an unsafe condition that would warrant
airworthiness directive action under Title 14 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (14 CFR) part 39.
Background
This recommendation results from an NTSB accident investigation of
aircraft N2867W, Aerostar S77 hot air balloon. There were eight
passengers on board; two passengers were injured, one minor and one
serious. During the Report of the Administrator, Flight Standards
District Office investigation, it was determined that large balloons
may derive a safety benefit from having partitions in the gondola.
Recommendations
The FAA recommends that owners/operators of all models of free
manned balloons with more than four passengers divide the gondola into
partitions following gondola manufacturer methods or standard
maintenance practices.
For Further Information Contact
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Attention: Mr. Taylor Martin, ACE
112, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; telephone (816)
329-4139; fax (816) 329-4090.