{"id":"F2006B03549","name":"AD/BAL/11 Amdt 1 - Aft Suspension Cables","slug":"ad-bal-11-amdt-1-aft-suspension-cables","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":43116,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B03549-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/BAL/11 Amdt 1 - Aft Suspension Cables","content":"COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nHot Air Balloons\n\nAD/BAL/11\n\nAmdt 1\n\n  \nAft Suspension Cables 2/93\n\nApplicability: AerostarModels RX-6, RX-7, RX-8, S-49A, S-50A, S-52A, S-55A, S-57A, S-60A, S-\n\n66A and S-77A Balloons all serial numbers; equipped with Advanced Fiber Technology (AFT) suspension cables.\n\nRequirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA Emergency Airworthiness Directive 90-25-09, which requires the following:\n\n    On Models S-66A and S-77A Balloons replace all AFT suspension cables with stainless/galvanized steel suspension cables in accordance with the instructions in Aerostar International Inc. SB No. 129 dated 28 November 1990.\n\n    B. On all model Balloons other than Models S-66A and S-77A with less than 100 hours time-in-service on the AFT suspension cables; inspect all AFT suspension cables for degradation in accordance with the instructions in Aerostar International Inc. SB No. 129.\n\n    If signs of degradation are found, prior to further flight replace the AFT suspension cables with stainless/galvanized steel suspension cables in accordance with instructions in Aerostar International Inc. SB No. 129.\n\n    2. If no signs of degradation are found return the balloon to service and reinspect until the accumulation of 100 hours time-in-service on the AFT suspension cables at which time paragraph C. of this AD must be accomplished.\n\n    3. The AFT suspension cables may be replaced if no signs of degradation are found as terminating action for the inspection requirements of this AD.\n\n    C. On all model balloons other than Models S-66A and S-77A with 100 hours or more time-in-service on the AFT suspension cables; replace the AFT suspension cables with stainless/galvanized steel suspension cables in accordance with the instructions in Aerostar International Inc. SB No. 129.\n\nNote: Operators who do not have records of hours time-in-service on individual AFT suspension cables may substitute balloon hours time-in-service in lieu thereof.\n\nCompliance: A. Before further flight after 14 December 1990.\n\nB. (1) Before further flight & thereafter before each flight after 14 December 1990.\n\n    B. (2) Before each flight after 14 December 1990.\n\n    C. Before further flight after 14 December 1990 unless already accomplished per Requirement paragraph B.(1) or B.(3).\n\nThe compliance of the previous issue of this Directive remains unchanged.\n\nCOMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\nThis Amendment is effective from 4 February 1993.\n\nBackground: Recently there was an incident involving an Aerostar Model S-77A Balloon where the envelope separated from the basket prior to the launch. Examination of the cables on this balloon revealed serious strength degradation and heat exposure. Analysis of AFT suspension cables on other model balloons have also shown strength loss but not to the extent of the affected Model S-77A Balloon. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent cable degradation and possible loss of the balloon.\n\nAmendment 1 is issued to correct a typographical error with regard to the acronym used for the Balloon manufacturers name, which was printed in lower case lettering and had caused some confusion with the word ‘aft’.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Amendment 1 only corrects a typographical error in the manufacturer's acronym and explicitly states that the compliance of the previous issue remains unchanged (Amendment 1; 'The compliance of the previous issue of this Directive remains unchanged.'). The Applicability, Required actions, and Compliance timings are unchanged by this amendment."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple model-specific rules: immediate replacement mandated for S-66A and S-77A, while other models face staged inspection/replacement based on AFT cable hours (Requirement, paragraphs A–C).","Time-in-service thresholds and record substitution: different actions trigger at <100 hours vs ≥100 hours; operators may substitute balloon hours where cable hours are unknown (Requirement B/C; Note).","Frequent mandatory inspections: for some balloons inspections are required before each flight until cables are replaced or reach 100 hours, increasing operational burden (Compliance B.(1)–B.(2)).","External technical references: compliance must follow FAA Emergency AD 90-25-09 and Aerostar International Inc. SB No. 129, adding dependency on external documents for procedural detail (Requirement).","Immediate effective dates: many actions are required 'before further flight after 14 December 1990' or 'effective from 4 February 1993', creating urgency and potential logistical strain (Compliance; Effectivity).","Amendment limited to typographical correction but requires operators to note the corrected manufacturer acronym; no substantive procedural change (Amendment 1)."],"plain_english_summary":"This airworthiness directive requires operators of specified Aerostar hot‑air balloons fitted with Advanced Fiber Technology (AFT) suspension cables to inspect and, in many cases, replace those cables with stainless/galvanized steel per Aerostar service instructions. Operators must act before further flight or, for some balloons, before each flight until cables reach specified hours. The stated purpose is to prevent cable degradation and possible loss of the balloon; operators bear the cost and the compliance workload."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This amendment is purely administrative, correcting only a typographical error in the manufacturer's name. The substantive safety requirements and scope remain identical to the original 1990 directive."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple conditional pathways based on balloon model (S-66A/S-77A vs others)","Time-in-service thresholds (100 hours) creating different compliance paths","Cross-reference to external technical document (FAA Emergency AD 90-25-09)","Cross-reference to manufacturer service bulletin (Aerostar SB No. 129)","Nested compliance deadlines with 'unless already accomplished' clauses","Substitution rule allowing balloon hours to substitute for cable hours when records are missing"],"plain_english_summary":"This directive requires owners/operators of specified Aerostar hot‑air balloon models using Advanced Fiber Technology (AFT) suspension cables to inspect and/or replace those cables with steel ones—immediately for some models or after inspection/100 flight hours for others—because AFT cables can degrade and permit envelope separation from the basket. Amendment 1 (Feb 1993) only corrects the manufacturer’s name capitalization; safety requirements are unchanged."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-bal-11-amdt-1-aft-suspension-cables","history":"/api/acts/ad-bal-11-amdt-1-aft-suspension-cables/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-bal-11-amdt-1-aft-suspension-cables/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-bal-11-amdt-1-aft-suspension-cables/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-bal-11-amdt-1-aft-suspension-cables/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-bal-11-amdt-1-aft-suspension-cables/documents"}}