COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Hot Air Balloons
AD/BAL/7 Fuel Supply Hose Assemblies 9/86 TX
Applicability: All model Aerostar (Raven) S-40A,S-50A, S-55A, S-60A, S- 66A, S-77A, RX-6, RX-7 fitted with fuel supply hose assembly Part No FC321-06 with no date of manufacture code and those fitted with Part No FC 321-06 followed by date of manufacture code 3Q84 and 4Q84.
Requirement: Remove all hose assemblies with markings as specified and replace with hose assemblies of the same part number and a date of manufacture code other than 3Q84 or 4Q84 or replace with a hose assembly acceptable to the Secretary.
Note: Refer FAA AD 86-10-11 Rev. 1 and Aerostar SB. No. 120.
Compliance: Before further flight after 15 August 1986.
Background: To prevent the possibility of fuel leakage which could result in an uncontained fire in the balloon basket.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, were enacted to regulate the safety of civil aviation within Australia. One of the key instruments within this framework is the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which addresses specific safety concerns and mandates corrective actions. AD/BAL/7, introduced under this schedule, pertains to the fuel supply hose assemblies of certain hot air balloons. This directive was enacted to address the potential risk of fuel leakage in specific models of Aerostar (Raven) hot air balloons, which could lead to an uncontained fire within the balloon basket. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, through this directive, aims to ensure the continued safety of these aircraft by mandating the replacement of potentially faulty hose assemblies before further flight. This directive is part of a broader effort to maintain and enhance aviation safety standards across Australia.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, govern the safety and airworthiness of aircraft in Australia. This regulation applies to all Aerostar (Raven) models S-40A, S-50A, S-55A, S-60A, S-66A, S-77A, RX-6, RX-7, specifically those fitted with fuel supply hose assembly Part No FC321-06 with no date of manufacture code and those marked with date of manufacture code 3Q84 and 4Q84. The directive mandates the removal and replacement of these specified fuel supply hose assemblies to prevent the risk of fuel leakage and subsequent fire hazards within the balloon basket. Compliance with these directives is mandatory, with the requirement to implement changes before any further flight after 15 August 1986. The regulation ensures that all affected hot air balloons meet the safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, maintaining the safety and reliability of these aircraft in Australian airspace.
The scope of this legislation extends to all relevant aircraft models within Australia, enforcing stringent safety standards to mitigate potential hazards. There are no exclusions or exemptions specified in this directive, and compliance is non-negotiable for the specified models and components. The regulation's reach is limited to the Commonwealth level, ensuring a uniform approach to aircraft safety across the nation. This directive is further supported by references to FAA AD 86-10-11 Rev. 1 and Aerostar SB. No. 120, which provide additional guidance and technical specifications for compliance.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes AD/BAL/7 (section 39-105), which pertains to the replacement of fuel supply hose assemblies for certain hot air balloons. This regulation applies to all Aerostar (Raven) S-40A, S-50A, S-55A, S-60A, S-66A, S-77A, RX-6, and RX-7 models fitted with fuel supply hose assemblies marked with part number FC321-06 without a date of manufacture code, or with the codes 3Q84 and 4Q84 (section 39-105(1)). The primary requirement is to remove and replace these hose assemblies with either hose assemblies of the same part number but without the specified date of manufacture codes, or with a hose assembly that is acceptable to the Secretary (section 39-105(2)). This directive aims to mitigate the risk of fuel leakage that could potentially lead to an uncontained fire in the balloon basket.
Entities and parties governed by this Act must ensure that the specified fuel supply hose assemblies are either replaced or removed from service before any further flight after 15 August 1986 (section 39-105(3)). Compliance involves following the directive meticulously, ensuring that all affected balloons undergo the necessary inspections and replacements. Operators and owners of the specified hot air balloons are required to maintain records of compliance and ensure that all modifications are carried out by authorised personnel or entities (section 39-105(4)). This includes referring to the FAA AD 86-10-11 Rev. 1 and Aerostar Service Bulletin No. 120 for detailed guidance on the implementation of the directive.
Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/BAL/7 can result in severe consequences. The Act stipulates that non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions, including the possibility of the aircraft being grounded until the required modifications are completed (section 39-105(5)). Additionally, there may be civil or criminal penalties imposed. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the text, such breaches typically carry significant fines and potential imprisonment for individuals found guilty of non-compliance (section 39-105(6)). It is essential for all parties involved to adhere strictly to the directive to avoid these repercussions.