Rule2022-12969
Airworthiness Directives; Cameron Balloons Ltd. Fuel Cylinders
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
June 15, 2022
Effective
June 30, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Cameron Balloons Ltd. (Cameron) fuel cylinders installed on hot air balloons. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI identifies the unsafe condition as cracks in the weld between the cylinder valve plate and the upper dished end of Cameron part number (P/N) CB2990 (Alugas) fuel cylinders, which could allow uncontrolled fuel leakage of liquid propane. This AD requires the removal of any installed P/N CB2990 (Alugas) fuel cylinder from service before further flight. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 115 (Wednesday, June 15, 2022)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 115 (Wednesday, June 15, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36053-36055]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-12969]
========================================================================
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.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 115 / Wednesday, June 15, 2022 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 36053]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0683; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00631-Q;
Amendment 39-22089; AD 2022-13-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Cameron Balloons Ltd. Fuel Cylinders
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Cameron Balloons Ltd. (Cameron) fuel cylinders installed on hot
air balloons. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation
product. The MCAI identifies the unsafe condition as cracks in the weld
between the cylinder valve plate and the upper dished end of Cameron
part number (P/N) CB2990 (Alugas) fuel cylinders, which could allow
uncontrolled fuel leakage of liquid propane. This AD requires the
removal of any installed P/N CB2990 (Alugas) fuel cylinder from service
before further flight. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective June 30, 2022.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by August 1, 2022.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this final rule, contact
Cameron Balloons Ltd., St Johns Street, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 4NH,
United Kingdom; phone: +44 0 117 9637216; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5a2e3f39323433393b361a393b373f283534383b363635353429743935742f31"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="91e5f4f2f9fff8f2f0fdd1f2f0fcf4e3fefff3f0fdfdfefeffe2bff2febfe4fa">[email protected]</span></a>; website: <a href="http://www.cameronballoons.co.uk">www.cameronballoons.co.uk</a>.
You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City,
MO 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0683; 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
MCAI, any comments received, and other information. The street address
for the Docket Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Kiesov, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International Validation
Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; phone: (816) 329-
4144; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bed3d7d5db90d5d7dbcdd1c8fed8dfdf90d9d1c8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="05686c6e602b6e6c60766a73456364642b626a73">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness
authority for the United Kingdom (UK), has issued CAA Emergency AD G-
2022-0010-E, dated May 12, 2022 (referred to after this as ``the
MCAI''), to address an unsafe condition for certain Cameron fuel
cylinders. The MCAI states:
Five CB2990 (Alugas) cylinders have developed cracks in the weld
between the cylinder valve plate and the upper dished end. These
cracks allow the release of propane from the cylinder. Failures have
been observed during periodic inspection (hydraulic pressure test)
and leak test. All the in-service failures seen to date have been
from the batch of cylinders with serial numbers starting OC.
It is likely that other CB2990 cylinders may develop similar
failures in service.
To address this potential unsafe condition this [UK CAA
Emergency AD] * * * is issued to temporarily withdraw all CB2990
(Alugas) cylinders from service pending investigation of these
failures.
Cameron Balloons are working urgently with the original
fabricator to determine the cause and scope of these failures.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-
0683.
This condition, if not addressed, could lead to fire or explosion
and consequent emergency landing. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products.
Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed Cameron Balloons Alert Service Bulletin No. 33,
Revision 0, dated May 4, 2022, which specifies procedures for checking
the interface between the cylinder valve plate and the upper dished end
of fuel cylinders having P/N CB2990 (Alugas) using leak detector fluid
and emptying the fuel.
FAA's Determination
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and
service information referenced above. The FAA is issuing this AD after
determining the unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop in other
products of the same type design.
AD Requirements
This AD requires, before further flight, removal from service of
any installed P/N CB2990 (Alugas) fuel cylinder.
Difference 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 inspecting the fuel cylinders for leaks
and emptying the fuel, this AD does not require those actions. While
those actions are encouraged for the general
[[Page 36054]]
safety related to the leakage of liquid propane from these fuel
cylinders once they have been removed from the balloon, those actions
are not required to address the unsafe condition identified in this AD.
Interim Action
The FAA considers this AD to be an interim action. If additional
data is received by the UK CAA enabling the development of an
inspection of the affected fuel cylinders, the FAA may take further
rulemaking action.
FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date
Section 553(b)(3)(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 waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule
because a liquid propane leak on the fuel cylinder could lead to 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 corrective actions must be
accomplished before further flight. Accordingly, notice and opportunity
for prior public comment are impracticable and contrary to the public
interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(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 forego notice and
comment.
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments
about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under
ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2022-0683 and Project Identifier
MCAI-2022-00631-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
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, 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 Mike
Kiesov, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, General Aviation & Rotorcraft
Section, International Validation Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas
City, MO 64106. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for
this rulemaking.
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 696 fuel cylinders installed
on hot air balloons worldwide. The FAA has no way of knowing the number
of hot air balloons of U.S. Registry that may have an affected fuel
cylinder installed. The estimated cost on U.S. operators reflects the
maximum possible cost based on fuel cylinders worldwide. The average
labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
The FAA estimates that removing the affected fuel cylinder will
take 1 work-hour costing $85, for a cost of up to $59,160 for the U.S.
fleet. The FAA estimates that installing a non-affected fuel cylinder
will take 1 work-hour costing $85 and will cost $3,200 per fuel
cylinder, for a cost of up to $2,286,360 for the U.S. fleet.
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:
(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:
[[Page 36055]]
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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2022-13-03 Cameron Balloons Ltd.: Amendment 39-22089; Docket No.
FAA-2022-0683; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00631-Q.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 30, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
(1) This AD applies to hot air balloons, certificated in any
category, equipped with a Cameron Balloons Ltd. part number (P/N)
CB2990 (Alugas) fuel cylinder (the affected fuel cylinder).
(2) The affected fuel cylinder may be installed on hot air
balloon models including, but not limited to, those of the following
design approval holders:
(i) Aerostar International, Inc.;
(ii) Ballonbau Worner GmbH;
(iii) Bal[oacute]ny Kub[iacute][ccaron]ek spol. s.r.o.;
(iv) Cameron Balloons Ltd.;
(v) Eagle Balloons Corp.;
(vi) JR Aerosports, Ltd. (type certificate previously held by
Sundance Balloons (US));
(vii) Lindstrand Balloons Ltd.; and
(viii) Michael D. McGrath (type certificate subsequently
transferred to Andrew Philip Richardson, Adams Aerostats LLC).
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2810, Fuel Storage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation
product. The MCAI identifies the unsafe condition as cracks in the
weld between the cylinder valve plate and the upper dished end of
Cameron Balloons Ltd. P/N CB2990 (Alugas) fuel cylinders. The FAA is
issuing this AD to prevent uncontrolled fuel leakage of liquid
propane. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to fire
or explosion and consequent emergency landing.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Actions
Before further flight after the effective date of this AD,
remove the affected fuel cylinder from service.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Cameron Balloons Alert Service Bulletin
No. 33, Revision 0, dated May 4, 2022, provides procedures for doing
a leak check and emptying fuel from the Cameron P/N CB2990 (Alugas)
fuel cylinder to render it safe for storage following the removal
from service. These actions are not required by this AD.
(h) Special Flight Permit
Special flight permits are prohibited.
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) 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 certification office, send it to the
attention of the person identified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD
and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a99084e8fffa84e8e0fb849e9a9984e8e4e6eae9cfc8c887cec6df"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0e37234f585d234f475c23393d3e234f43414d4e686f6f20696178">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) 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) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Mike Kiesov,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, General Aviation & Rotorcraft
Section, International Validation Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301,
Kansas City, MO 64106; phone: (816) 329-4144; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a6cbcfcdc388cdcfc3d5c9d0e6c0c7c788c1c9d0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="462b2f2d23682d2f233529300620272768212930">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Refer to United Kingdom (UK) Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
Emergency AD G-2022-0010-E, dated May 12, 2022, for more
information. You may examine the UK CAA AD in the AD docket at
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2022-0683.
(3) For service information identified in this AD that is not
incorporated by reference, contact Camron Balloons Ltd., St John
Street, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 4NH, United Kingdom; phone: +44 0
117 9637216; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0a7e6f69626463696b664a696b676f786564686b666665656479246965247f61"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="740011171c1a1d1715183417151911061b1a161518181b1b1a075a171b5a011f">[email protected]</span></a>; website:
<a href="http://www.cameronballoons.co.uk">www.cameronballoons.co.uk</a>.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued on June 10, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-12969 Filed 6-13-22; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on June 15, 2022.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.