DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0754; Product Identifier 2018-CE-028-AD; Amendment
39-19365; AD 2018-17-11]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Linstrandt Propane Cylinders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Linstrandt T30 propane cylinders installed on hot air balloons. This AD
results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and
correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes
the unsafe condition as welding defects on the propane cylinder that
could result in leaking of liquid propane. We are issuing this AD to
require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 24, 2018.
We must receive comments on this AD by October 19, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.
gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0754; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains
this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for Docket Operations (telephone (800)
647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in
the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Standards Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; fax: (816) 329-4090; email:
mike.kiesov@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
AD No. 2018-0107, dated May 15, 2018, corrected on May 22, 2018
(referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

A review of cylinder production records has shown that the
affected cylinders have unacceptable welding defects.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in
an uncontrolled release of liquid propane and consequent fire or
explosion, with consequent injury to balloon occupants and persons
on the ground.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Cameron Balloons
Limited issued the SB, providing instructions to remove the affected
cylinders from service.
For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires
replacement of the affected cylinders with serviceable parts.
This [EASA] AD is re-published to correct the list of TCDS
numbers. The TCDS EASA.SAS.BA.001 was erroneously introduced, and
has been removed, as it is not for a hot air balloon.

You may examine the MCAI on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0754.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the AD

This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI. We are
issuing this AD because we evaluated all information provided by the
State of Design Authority and determined the unsafe condition exists
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type
design.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because
replacement of the propane cylinders is required within 30 days.
Therefore, we find good cause that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment are impracticable. In addition, for the reason stated
above, we find that good cause exists for making this amendment
effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2018-0754; Product
Identifier 2018-CE-028-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of
those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this AD.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD will affect 10 propane cylinders. We also
estimate that it would take about 2 work-hours to replace a cylinder,
at an average labor rate of $85 per work-hour, and required parts would
cost about $3,000 per product. Based on these figures, we estimate a
total cost of $3,170 per balloon.
We know the unsafe condition affects 10 propane cylinders
worldwide; however, we have no way of knowing the number of hot air
balloons on the U.S. Registry that may have an affected propane
cylinder installed. As such, we have no way of estimating the potential
costs of compliance on U.S. operators.

Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's
authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the
authority to issue ADs applicable to small airplanes, gliders,
balloons, airships, domestic business jet transport airplanes, and
associated appliances to the Director of the Policy and Innovation
Division.

Regulatory Findings

We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct
effect on the States, on the relationship between the national
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):