AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Hot Air Balloons

AD/BAL/24 Solid Floor Baskets 1/2005 DM

Applicability: All solid floor balloon baskets manufactured by Cameron Balloons Limited, Thunder Balloons Ltd, Colt Balloons Ltd, Thunder and Colt Ltd, and Sky Balloons Ltd.

Requirement: 1. Revise the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) for any balloon fitted with a Cameron solid floor basket, by incorporating the following into the Normal Procedures section of the AFM (this may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this Directive into the AFM):

ADDITIONAL FLIGHT MANUAL INFORMATION (Section 4 - Normal

Procedures):

Pre-Flight Check of Basket Suspension Wires

Solid floor baskets must have no damage to the rawhide wire protectors sufficient to expose the suspension wires. Check also for wire damage where the wires are visible between the protectors and the skids. Any such damage must be inspected by a qualified inspector and repaired if necessary before further flight in accordance with Cameron Balloons Maintenance Manual Section 6.16.4.

Note 1: Balloons for which Issue 9 amendment 1 of Cameron Balloons CAA Approved Flight Manual is applicable, may use the manual as an acceptable means of compliance with the above requirement.

2. Inspect the basket suspension wires and rawhide protectors in accordance with Cameron Balloons Service Bulletin No. 12 Revision 0, or later EASA approved revision. If any damage is found to be in excess of that permitted by Cameron Balloons Maintenance Manual Issue 9 Section 6.16.4. or later EASA approved revision, before further flight, repair in accordance with manufacturer’s approved data.

Note 2: CAA AD G-2004-0028 refers.

Compliance: 1. Within 7 days after 1 December 2004.

2. Within 1 month after 1 December 2004.

Hot Air Balloons

AD/BAL/24 (continued)

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 1 December 2004.

Background: The manufacturer has identified several occurrences of damaged basket suspension wires on the underside of solid floor baskets. It is thought that damage to the basket occurs as a result of inappropriate handling when loading and unloading the basket from a vehicle or trailer. Failure to identify and rectify damaged suspension wires could result in the failure of one or more wires that may result in tipping and causing injury to the occupants.

David Villiers

Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 25 November 2004

The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 1 December 2004.