|
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0469; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00124-Q;
Amendment 39-22121; AD 2022-15-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Cameron Balloons Ltd. Burner Assemblies
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for
certain Cameron Balloons Ltd. (Cameron) Stratus double burner
assemblies installed on hot air balloons. This AD was prompted by
reports from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and
correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI identifies
the unsafe condition as fatigue cracking of the weld on Stratus double
burner hangers. This AD requires repetitively inspecting certain
Stratus double burner hangers and replacing certain Stratus double
burners, and prohibits installing certain parts. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective August 25, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of August 25,
2022.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Cameron Balloons Ltd., St Johns Street, Bedminster, Bristol,
BS3 4NH, United Kingdom; phone: +44 0 117 9637216; email:
technical@cameronballoons.co.uk; website: https://www.cameronballoons.co.uk.
You may view this service information at the
FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901
Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. It is also available at
https://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-04690469.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2022-0469; 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 final rule, the MCAI, any comments received, and
other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department
of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Kiesov, Aviation Safety Engineer,
General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International Validation Branch,
FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; phone: (816) 329-
4144; email: mike.kiesov@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Cameron Stratus double
burner assembly part number (P/N) CB8720 and P/N CB8721 installed on
hot air balloons. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 5,
2022 (87 FR 26699). The NPRM was based on MCAI from the European Union
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the
Member States of the European Union. EASA issued AD 2021-0042, dated
January 29, 2021 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to address
the unsafe condition on all hot air balloons. The MCAI states:
An occurrence was been reported of a Stratus burner hanger,
[part number] P/N CB8504, failing after landing, leaving one burner
unit detached from the load frame. Investigation revealed a limited
number of similar failures. Comparable issues have been experienced
with other parts of the Stratus product line (see Australian [Civil
Aviation Safety Authority] CASA AWB 14-001 [Airworthiness Bulletin
AWB 14-001, Issue 3, dated February 5, 2021]). The suspected cause
is fatigue cracking of the weld, caused mainly during ground
transportation with the burner erect, combined with an overload
event.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to
burner falling on the balloon occupant's head, resulting in injury
to balloon occupants. It could also lead to an uncontrolled cold
descent and hard landing, possibly resulting in injury to balloon
occupants and persons on the ground.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Cameron Balloons
issued the SB [Service Bulletin 28, Revision 3, dated February 3,
2021], providing inspection and replacement instructions. It was
determined that some burner hangers cannot be inspected as they are
covered with a doubler plate to reinforce the central part of the
hanger bracket.
For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires
repetitive detailed inspections (DET) of the affected parts A and,
depending on findings, replacement with a serviceable part. This
[EASA] AD also requires direct replacement of the burner hanger
installed on affected parts B.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov
under Docket No. FAA-2022-0469.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require repetitively inspecting
certain Stratus double burner hangers and replacing certain other
Stratus double burners. The FAA also proposed to prohibit installing
certain parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent burners from
separating from the balloon. The unsafe condition, if not addressed,
could result in an uncontrolled cold descent and hard landing of the
balloon.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.
Conclusion
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI
referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined
that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products. This AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Cameron Balloons Service Bulletin 28, Revision 3,
dated February 3, 2021. The service information specifies identifying
the Stratus double burner hanger, inspecting it in accordance with
Cameron Balloons SB28: Accomplishment Instructions, Stratus Double
Burner; Mounting Hanger Inspection, CBL/TN/DCB/3191, Issue B, dated
February 4, 2020 (CBL/TN/DCB/3191 Issue B), and replacing it if there
are any cracks.
The FAA also reviewed CBL/TN/DCB/3191 Issue B, which contains
procedures for identifying and inspecting affected Stratus double
burner hangers.
This service information is reasonably available because the
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI
The MCAI requires reporting information to Cameron Balloons, and
this AD does not.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 220 burner assemblies that
have been produced worldwide. The FAA has no way of knowing how many of
these burner assemblies are installed on hot air balloons of U.S.
Registry. Therefore, for the purposes of this AD, the FAA is basing the
fleet cost estimate on the maximum number of 220 burner assemblies.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
| Action |
Labor cost |
Parts cost |
Cost per hot air balloon |
Cost on U.S. operators |
| Inspect burner hangers |
1 work-hour x $85 per hour =
$85 |
Not applicable |
$85 per inspection cycle |
$18,700 per inspection cycle |
The FAA estimates the following costs
to replace a cracked burner
hanger or a burner that has a doubler plate. The FAA has no way of
determining the number of hot air balloons that would need this action.
On-Condition Costs
| Action |
Labor cost |
Parts cost |
Cost per hot air balloon |
| Replace with a serviceable part |
1 work-hour x $85 per hour =
$85 |
$250
|
$335
|
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.
The FAA is 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.
Regulatory Findings
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 this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) 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.
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:
|