[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 178 (Friday, September 13, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57992-57994]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-23288]



[[Page 57992]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-50-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Cameron Balloons Ltd. (Sky Balloons) 
Mk1 (BR1) & Mk2 (Mistral) Burners

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to all aircraft (specifically balloons) that 
incorporate certain Cameron Balloons Ltd. (Sky Balloons) Mk1 (BR1) & 
Mk2 (Mistral) burners. This proposed AD would require you to replace 
the valve stems of the main blast, liquid fire, and pilot light valves. 
This proposed AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for the United 
Kingdom. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to 
correct the mechanical failure of the valve stem/seat pinned joint, 
which could result in a propane vapor leak. Such failure could lead to 
a propane explosion and fire.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before October 21, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-CE-50-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. You may view any 
comments at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also send comments 
electronically to the following address: [email protected]. 
Comments sent electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2000-CE-50-AD'' 
in the subject line. If you send comments electronically as attached 
electronic files, the files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for 
Windows or ASCII text.
    You may get service information that applies to this proposed AD 
from Cameron Balloons Ltd. (Sky Balloons), St. Johns Street, 
Bedminster, Bristol; BS3 4NH; telephone: +44 (0)117 9637216; facsimile: 
+44 (0)177 966168; or Cameron Balloons, P.O. Box 3672, Ann Arbor, 
Michigan 46106; telephone: (734) 426-5525; facsimile: (734) 426-5026. 
You may also view this information at the Rules Docket at the address 
above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger Chudy, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4140; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

How Do I Comment on This Proposed AD?

    The FAA invites comments on this proposed rule. You may submit 
whatever written data, views, or arguments you choose. You need to 
include the rule's docket number and submit your comments to the 
address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. We will consider all 
comments received on or before the closing date. We may amend this 
proposed rule in light of comments received. Factual information that 
supports your ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of this proposed AD action and determining whether we 
need to take additional rulemaking action.

Are There Any Specific Portions of This Proposed AD I Should Pay 
Attention To?

    The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed rule that 
might suggest a need to modify the rule. You may view all comments we 
receive before and after the closing date of the rule in the Rules 
Docket. We will file a report in the Rules Docket that summarizes each 
contact we have with the public that concerns the substantive parts of 
this proposed AD.

How Can I Be Sure FAA Receives My Comment?

    If you want FAA to acknowledge the receipt of your mailed comments, 
you must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, 
write ``Comments to Docket No. 2000-CE-50-AD.'' We will date stamp and 
mail the postcard back to you.

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This Proposed AD?

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness 
authority for the United Kingdom, recently notified the FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on aircraft (specifically balloons) that 
incorporate certain Cameron Balloons Ltd. (Sky Balloons) Mk1 (BR1) & 
Mk2 (Mistral) burners. The CAA reports there have been reports of 
mechanical failure of the valve stem/seat pinned joint. This could 
result in a propane vapor leak.

What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to a propane explosion 
and fire.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    Cameron Balloons Ltd. (Sky Balloons) has issued Service Bulletin 
No. SB10, Issue A, dated May 12, 2000.

What Are the Provisions of This Service Information?

    The service bulletin includes procedures for replacing valve stems 
in the main blast, liquid fire, and pilot light valves.

What Action Did the CAA Take?

    The CAA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
British AD Number 003-05-2000, dated May 31, 2000, in order to ensure 
the continued airworthiness of these aircraft in the United Kingdom.

Was This in Accordance With the Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement?

    These burners are manufactured in the United Kingdom and are 
approved for installation on aircraft type certificated for operations 
in the United States under the provisions of section 21.29 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable 
bilateral airworthiness agreement.
    Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has 
kept FAA informed of the situation described above.

The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of This 
Proposed AD

What Has FAA Decided?

    The FAA has examined the findings of the CAA; reviewed all 
available information, including the service information referenced 
above; and determined that:

--The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could 
develop on type design aircraft (specifically balloons on the U.S. 
Registry) that incorporate certain Cameron Balloons Ltd. (Sky Balloons) 
Mk1 (BR1) & Mk2 (Mistral) burners;
--The actions specified in the previously-referenced service 
information should be accomplished on the affected aircraft; and
--AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe condition.

[[Page 57993]]

What Would This Proposed AD Require?

    This proposed AD would require you to incorporate the actions in 
the previously-referenced service bulletin.

Why Is a Compliance of 20 Hours Time-in-Service (TIS) Used for the 
Actions of This AD?

    Normally, FAA uses a 20-hour TIS compliance time for urgent safety 
of flight conditions. However, balloon operation varies among 
operators. It might take operators between 3 months to 12 months or 
more to accumulate 20 hours TIS. For this reason, FAA has determined 
that compliance time of this proposed AD should be 20 hours TIS to 
ensure this condition is corrected in a timely manner but does not 
unduly penalize operators.

Cost Impact

How Many Aircraft Would This Proposed AD Impact?

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 100 aircraft 
(specifically balloons) in the U.S. registry.

What Would Be the Cost Impact of This Proposed AD on Owners/Operators 
of the Affected Aircraft?

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the proposed 
modification:

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                                                                                            Total cost on U.S.
              Labor cost                      Parts cost         Total cost per balloon         operators
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1 workhour x $60 per hour = $60......  $35 per burner.........  $60 + $35 = $95........  $95 x 100 = $9,500.
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Regulatory Impact

Would This Proposed AD Impact Various Entities?

    The regulations proposed herein would 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this proposed rule would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.

Would This Proposed AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
action (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) if 
promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft regulatory 
evaluation prepared for this action has been placed in the Rules 
Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at 
the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

Cameron Balloons Ltd. (Sky Balloons): Docket No. 2000-CE-50-AD

    (a) What aircraft are affected by this AD? This AD affects any 
aircraft (specifically balloons), certificated in any category, that 
incorporate at least one of the following burners:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Model                             Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mk1 (BR1).................................  001 through 098, 100, and
                                             101.
Mk2 (Mistral).............................  001 through 098, 100, and
                                             101
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any aircraft (specifically balloons) with the equipment identified 
in paragraph (a) of this AD must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to correct the mechanical failure of the valve 
stem/seat pinned joint, which could result in a propane vapor leak. 
Such failure could lead to a propane explosion and fire.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Actions                  Compliance           Procedures
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(1) On the main blast, liquid   Within 20 hours      In accordance with
 fire, and pilot light valves    time-in-service      Cameron Ballons
 of the Mk1 (BR1) and Mk2        after the            LTD (Sky Balloons)
 (Mistral) burners, replace:     effective date of    Service Bulletin
(i) valve stem part number (P/   this AD, unless      No. SB10, Issue A,
 N) A4/BR1/2000/012 with a new   already              dated May 12,
 improved-design valve, P/N      accomplished.        2000.
 CB6425;
(ii) valve stem P/N A4/BR2/
 2000/006 with a new improved-
 design valve, P/N CB6426; and
(iii) rubber sealing ring with
 O-ring P/N BS1806-008.
(2) Only install:               As of the effective  Not Applicable.
(i) valves that are P/N CB6425   date of this AD.
 and P/N CB6426, or FAA-
 approved equivalent P/Ns; and
(ii) O-ring P/N BS1806-008, of
 FAA-approved equivalent P/N.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 57994]]

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) The Standards Office Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 
approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Standards Office Manager.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each aircraft (specifically balloons) 
with a Cameron Balloons Ltd. (Sky Balloons) Mk1 or Mk2 burner 
identified in paragraph (a) of this AD, regardless of whether it has 
been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For aircraft (specifically balloons) that 
have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of 
the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must 
request approval for an alternative method of compliance in 
accordance with paragraph (e) of this AD. The request should include 
an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or 
repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if you 
have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific actions you 
propose to address it.

    (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Roger Chudy, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4140; facsimile: 
(816) 329-4090.
    (g) How do I get copies of the documents referenced in this AD? 
You may get copies of the documents referenced in this AD from 
Cameron Balloons Ltd. (Sky Balloons), St. Johns Street, Bedminster, 
Bristol; BS3 4NH; telephone: +44 (0)117 9637216; facsimile: +44 
(0)177 966168; or Cameron Balloons, P.O. Box 3672, Ann Arbor, 
Michigan 46106; telephone: (734) 426-5525; facsimile: (734) 426-
5026. You may view these documents at FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in British AD 003-
05-2000, dated May 31, 2000.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 4, 2002.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-23288 Filed 9-12-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P