[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 195 (Friday, October 10, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48219-48221]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-19532]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
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Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 195 / Friday, October 10, 2025 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 48219]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-3433; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01302-Q;
Amendment 39-23173; AD 2025-21-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Cameron Balloons Ltd. Fuel Cylinders
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-11-
10, which applied to Cameron Balloons Ltd. (Cameron) fuel cylinders
fitted with certain pressure relief valve (PRV) adaptors on hot air
balloons. AD 2025-11-10 required repetitively visually checking the PRV
adaptor for cracks and removing any fuel cylinder with a cracked PRV
adaptor from service. Since the FAA issued AD 2025-11-10, a new
replacement part was introduced into service. This AD retains the
repetitive check and removal requirements of AD 2025-11-10 and also
requires replacement of the PRV adaptor as terminating action for the
repetitive checks. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective October 27, 2025.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by November 24, 2025.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-3433; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Weir, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817)
222-4045; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments
about this final rule. Send your comments using a method listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-3433; Project
Identifier MCAI-2025-01302-Q'' at the beginning of your comments. The
most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the final rule,
explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting
data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date
and may amend this final rule because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this final rule.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this AD, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to George
Weir, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for
this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA issued AD 2025-11-10, Amendment 39-23056 (90 FR 23269, June
2, 2025) (AD 2025-11-10), to correct an unsafe condition on hot air
balloons with Cameron fuel cylinders fitted with PRV adaptor part
number (P/N) CB8426. AD 2025-11-10 was prompted by an MCAI originated
by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness
authority for the United Kingdom (UK). The UK CAA issued Emergency AD
G-2025-0001R1-E, dated April 11, 2025, (CAA UK Emergency AD G-2025-
0001R1-E) to correct an unsafe condition identified as cracks on the
upper hex portion of PRV adaptors. AD 2025-11-10 required repetitively
visually checking the fuel cylinder PRV adaptor for cracks, reporting
any findings of a crack, and removing any fuel cylinder with a cracked
PRV adaptor from service. A cracked PRV adaptor could lead to
uncontrolled leakage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which could
result in an in-flight fire and consequent emergency landing. The FAA
issued AD 2025-11-10 to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Actions Since AD 2025-11-10 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2025-11-10, the UK CAA superseded CAA UK
Emergency AD G-2025-0001R1-E and issued CAA UK Emergency AD G-2025-
0004-E, dated August 1, 2025 (CAA UK Emergency AD G-2025-0004-E) (also
referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that after an examination of
10 additional failed components and subsequent metallurgical analysis,
a
[[Page 48220]]
new replacement PRV adaptor was introduced into service to better
address the unsafe condition. The MCAI requires repetitively visually
checking the fuel cylinder PRV adaptor for cracks, removal from service
of any fuel cylinder with a cracked PRV adaptor, and replacement of the
PRV adaptor as terminating action for the repetitive checks. This
condition, if not addressed, could lead to uncontrolled leakage of LPG,
which could result in an in-flight fire and consequent emergency
landing.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-3433.
FAA's Determination
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA is issuing this AD
after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
AD Requirements
This AD retains the repetitive check and removal requirements of AD
2025-11-10 and also requires replacement of the PRV adaptor as
terminating action for the repetitive checks. The owner/operator
(pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate may perform the
visual check and must enter compliance with the applicable paragraph(s)
of the AD into the balloon maintenance records in accordance with 14
CFR 43.9(a) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). The pilot may perform this action
because it only involves visually checking each PRV adaptor for cracks.
This action could be performed equally well by a pilot or a mechanic.
This is an exception to the FAA's standard maintenance regulations.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI
The MCAI applies to hot air balloons and certain airships. This AD
only applies to hot air balloons because the airships identified in the
MCAI do not have an FAA type certificate.
Although the MCAI specifies that if any fuel cylinder is found with
a cracked PRV adaptor, it must be emptied of fuel prior to being
removed from service, this AD does not require that action. While that
action is encouraged for the general safety related to the leakage of
LPG, it is not required to address the unsafe condition identified in
this AD.
Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective
Date
Section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C.
551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days,
upon a finding of good cause.
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public
justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule
because an LPG leak on the fuel cylinder could result in an in-flight
fire or explosion, damaging the hot air balloon and leading to a forced
emergency landing, which could injure balloon occupants and persons on
the ground. Additionally, the compliance time in this AD is shorter
than the time necessary for the public to comment and for publication
of the final rule. Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public
comment are impracticable and contrary to the public interest pursuant
to 5 U.S.C. 553(b).
In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days,
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forgo notice and
comment.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because FAA has determined
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and
comment, RFA analysis is not required.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 2,000 fuel cylinders
installed on hot air balloons worldwide. The FAA estimates 100 hot air
balloons of U.S. Registry may have an affected fuel cylinder installed.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visually check fuel cylinder PRV 1 work-hour x $85 $0 $85 (per visual $8,500 (per visual
adaptor. per hour = $85 (per check). check).
visual check).
Replace fuel cylinder PRV adaptor 2 work-hours x $85 29 199................. 19,900.
per hour = $170.
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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 that this AD:
[[Page 48221]]
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.
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
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2025-11-10, Amendment 39-23056 (90
FR 23269, June 2, 2025); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:
2025-21-01 Cameron Balloons Ltd.: Amendment 39-23173; Docket No.
FAA-2025-3433; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01302-Q.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 27, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2025-11-10, Amendment 39-23056 (90 FR 23269,
June 2, 2025) (AD 2025-11-10).
(c) Applicability
(1) This AD applies to all hot air balloons, certificated in any
category, with a fuel cylinder installed that is fitted with Cameron
Balloons Ltd. pressure relief valve (PRV) adaptor part number (P/N)
CB8426.
Note 1 to paragraph (c)(1): Cameron Balloons Alert Service
Bulletin No. 36, Revision 2, dated July 3, 2025, provides
information related to this AD, including fuel cylinders that may be
fitted with PRV adaptor P/N CB8426.
(2) These fuel cylinders are installed on hot air balloon models
including, but not limited to, those of the design approval holders
identified in paragraphs (c)(2)(i) through (viii) of this AD.
(i) Adams Aerostats LLC.
(ii) Aerostar International Inc.
(iii) Ballonbau W[ouml]rner GmbH.
(iv) Cameron Balloons Ltd.
(v) Eagle Balloons Corp.
(vi) JR Aerosports, Ltd.
(vii) Kub[iacute][ccaron]ek Factory s.r.o. (formerly
Bal[oacute]ny Kub[iacute][ccaron]ek spol. s.r.o.).
(viii) Lindstrand Balloons Ltd.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2800, Aircraft Fuel
System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by cracks on the upper hex portion of PRV
adaptors installed on certain Cameron Balloons Ltd. fuel cylinders.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address failure of a PRV adaptor. This
condition, if not addressed, could lead to uncontrolled leakage of
liquefied petroleum gas, which could result in an in-flight fire and
consequent emergency landing.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Before further flight after the effective date of this AD
and thereafter before each flight, visually check the fuel cylinder
PRV adaptor for any cracks.
(2) The owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot
certificate may perform the visual checks required by paragraph
(g)(1) of this AD and must enter compliance with the applicable
paragraph of this AD into the balloon maintenance records in
accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must
be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.
(3) Replace the fuel cylinder PRV adaptor with a fuel cylinder
PRV adaptor having P/N CB7922 at whichever compliance time in
paragraph (g)(3)(i) or (ii) occurs first.
(i) Before further flight if any crack is found during any
visual check required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.
(ii) At or before the next scheduled periodic PRV inspection.
(4) The replacement required by paragraph (g)(3) of this AD
terminates the repetitive visual check requirement of paragraph
(g)(1) of this AD.
(h) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits are prohibited.
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19,
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, send
it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j)(1) of
this AD and email to [email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC,
notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal
inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district
office/certificate holding district office.
(j) Additional Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact George Weir,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-4045; email:
[email protected].
(2) For material identified in this AD that is not incorporated
by reference, contact Cameron Balloons Ltd., St John Street,
Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 4NH, United Kingdom; phone: +44 0 117
9637216; email: cameronballoons.co.uk">technical@cameronballoons.co.uk; website:
cameronballoons.co.uk.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued on October 7, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-19532 Filed 10-9-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P