Aircraft
Certification Service Washington, DC U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration
CE-11-44
July 13, 2011
This is information only. Recommendations
aren’t mandatory.
Introduction
This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) informs
registered owners/operators of all hot air balloons, certificated under
Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 39, of an
airworthiness concern.
At this time, this airworthiness concern has not been determined to be
an unsafe condition that would warrant airworthiness directive (AD)
action under 14 CFR part 39.
Background
An FAA accident investigation of a hot air balloon accident revealed
improper securing of the propane tank in the basket. The upper tank
restraining strap installation did not secure the tank from up or down
movement. During landing, the tank became dislodged and landed on the
foot of a passenger. Inspections of six other tank installations on
different manufacturers’ balloons revealed similar general lacking of
positive tank restraint and variations of tank restraint strap
installations.
Recommendations
The FAA recommends owners/operators of all hot air balloons assure the
tank installations are accordance with their manufacturer’s operating
manual and to also assure that the upper tank strap installation
prevents any vertical movement of the tank.
For Further Information Contact
Taylor Martin, Aerospace Engineer, 901 Locust Street, Room 301, Kansas
City, MO 64106; phone (816) 329-4138; fax (816) 329-4090; e-mail:
taylor.martin@faa.gov.