AD/BAL/11 Amdt 1 - Aft Suspension Cables

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended in 1993, introduced specific Airworthiness Directives to address safety concerns related to the suspension cables of certain Aerostar hot air balloons. This legislative instrument was enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia to enhance aviation safety by targeting issues identified with the Advanced Fiber Technology (AFT) suspension cables used in these balloons. The policy objective of this directive was to prevent degradation and failure of the suspension cables, which could lead to catastrophic loss of the balloon and risk to human life. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued this directive in response to incidents, including a serious event where an Aerostar Model S-77A balloon's envelope separated from the basket before launch due to significant strength degradation in the suspension cables. The directive mandates specific actions for Aerostar hot air balloon operators, such as replacing or inspecting suspension cables based on the balloon's time-in-service and model type. The directive requires immediate action for certain models and periodic inspection for others, with the overarching goal of ensuring that the balloons remain airworthy and safe for operation. The amendment in 1993 corrected a typographical error to clarify the name of the balloon manufacturer, ensuring accurate communication and compliance with the directive.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105 and specifically the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives concerning hot air balloons, applies to Aerostar Models RX-6, RX-7, RX-8, S-49A, S-50A, S-52A, S-55A, S-57A, S-60A, S-66A, and S-77A equipped with Advanced Fiber Technology (AFT) suspension cables. The legislation mandates actions based on the findings of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Emergency Airworthiness Directive 90-25-09. The applicability of the directive extends to all balloons of the specified models and serial numbers, regardless of their location within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring uniformity in safety standards across the country. The directive requires the replacement or inspection of AFT suspension cables to mitigate risks associated with cable degradation, with specific timelines and actions based on the balloon's time-in-service hours. Exemptions or thresholds are limited to the specified conditions under which certain actions must be taken, and the compliance dates are set firmly from 14 December 1990, with the Amendment 1 correcting a typographical error effective from 4 February 1993.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this legislation are sections 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which include the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives. Specifically, this instrument addresses hot air balloons and the replacement or inspection of Advanced Fiber Technology (AFT) suspension cables on various Aerostar balloon models. Section 105 requires action in accordance with the technical requirements of the FAA Emergency Airworthiness Directive 90-25-09. For Aerostar Models S-66A and S-77A balloons, it mandates the replacement of all AFT suspension cables with stainless or galvanized steel cables, following instructions in Aerostar International Inc. Service Bulletin No. 129 dated 28 November 1990. For other models with less than 100 hours of time-in-service on the AFT suspension cables, it requires an inspection for degradation, with replacement if degradation is found. For models with 100 hours or more of time-in-service on the AFT suspension cables, replacement is required. The Act imposes several obligations on the parties or entities it governs. Operators of Aerostar hot air balloons must comply with the airworthiness directives outlined in the legislation. For Aerostar Models S-66A and S-77A balloons, operators must replace all AFT suspension cables with stainless or galvanized steel cables. For other models, operators must inspect cables for degradation if they have less than 100 hours of time-in-service, replacing them if any degradation is found. For models with 100 hours or more of time-in-service, operators must replace the AFT suspension cables. Additionally, operators must ensure compliance with these requirements before further flight after 14 December 1990. If operators do not have records of hours of time-in-service on individual AFT suspension cables, they may substitute balloon hours of time-in-service. There are no specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breach outlined in this section of the legislation. However, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in serious safety issues, including potential loss of the balloon. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) enforces these regulations, and failure to comply can lead to enforcement actions, including grounding of the aircraft, fines, and other penalties as prescribed under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The maximum penalties for breaches of civil aviation regulations can vary but often include substantial fines and potential imprisonment for serious violations. The specific consequences would depend on the nature and severity of the non-compliance.