{"id":"F2006B03550","name":"AD/BAL/12 - Fuel Hose","slug":"ad-bal-12-fuel-hose","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":43117,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B03550-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/BAL/12 - Fuel Hose","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/12 Fuel Hose 11/93 TX\n\nApplicability: Aerostar International (Raven), Models RS-6, RX-7, RX-8, RXS-8, S-40A, S-49A, S- 50A, S-52A, S-55A, S-57A, S-57S, S-60S, S-60A, S-66A, S-71, S-77A, 78C, 90C,\n\nQUBE-80, CTS, W100LB, 110P, and SPII; all serial numbers, that are equipped with hoses identified with one of the following:\n\nAeroquip FC321-06 UL 5/16 LP-GAS Hose 350 Max Operating PSI 1Q92, Aeroquip FC321-06 UL 5/16 LP-GAS Hose 350 Max Operating PSI 2Q92, Aeroquip FC321-06 UL 5/16 LP-GAS Hose 350 Max Operating PSI 3Q92, Aeroquip FC321-06 UL 5/16 LP-GAS Hose 350 Max Operating PSI 4Q92, or, If hose identification is not legible.\n\nRequirement: 1. a. Remove each fuel hose from the leather sleeve and at system pressure, sniff test the entire length of the hose for signs of leakage. These signs could include frosting or chilling. If any sign of fuel leakage is found, replace the entire fuel hose/manifold assembly with an approved assembly that includes hoses with markings different than that specified in the Applicability of this Directive.\n\n    b. If no sign of fuel leakage is found, repeat the fuel leakage test at the intervals specified in the Compliance of this Directive.\n\n    2. Replace the entire fuel hose/manifold assembly with an approved assembly that includes hoses with markings different than that specified in the Applicability of this Directive.\n\nNote: FAA Priority Letter AD 93-16-13 and Aerostar SB 132 refer.\n\nCompliance: 1. a. Prior to further flight.\n\n    b. Prior to each flight, until replacement in accordance with Requirement 2 of this Directive.\n\n    2. Unless already accomplished, within 10 hours time in service after 24 August 1993.\n\nBackground: The FAA has received a report of a fuel hose leaking propane. An investigation revealed a manufacturing deficiency with certain hose assemblies. The hoses included in these assemblies are susceptible to splitting, which will result in fuel leakage. The inspection and replacement of hoses is necessary to prevent an uncontained fire in the balloon basket.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD maintains its original narrow scope — addressing a specific manufacturing defect in specific fuel hoses on specific hot air balloon models. There is no evidence of scope creep; it remains tightly focused on the safety-critical hose replacement issue identified in 1993."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific safety issue with narrow applicability (22 balloon models, specific hose markings)","Clear two-path compliance structure (inspect-and-monitor vs. replace)","Simple conditional logic: if leaking → replace; if not leaking → repeat test until replacement","Only 4 defined identifiers (the quarter codes: 1Q92, 2Q92, 3Q92, 4Q92)","Single cross-reference to FAA AD 93-16-13 and manufacturer service bulletin","Straightforward compliance deadlines with no nested exceptions","Length: approximately 300 words of operative text"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA Airworthiness Directive targets Aerostar/Raven hot-air balloons with Aeroquip fuel hoses marked “1Q92/2Q92/3Q92/4Q92,” requiring owners/operators to inspect (sniff test) exposed hoses for propane leaks, replace any leaking assemblies immediately, and repeat pre-flight checks until the manifold/hose assembly is replaced. It sets a hard replacement deadline (within 10 flight hours after 24 Aug 1993). It addresses split-hose propane leaks that could cause basket fires or explosions."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive remains narrowly focused on correcting a specific manufacturing defect in certain Aeroquip FC321-06 hoses fitted to listed Aerostar balloon models. It requires inspection and replacement of those hoses. The inclusion of hoses with illegible identification marginally expands the set of affected installations (because an unmarked hose must be treated as suspect), but this does not represent a material expansion beyond the original safety-remedy purpose described in the Background. The instrument does not introduce additional unrelated obligations or broaden applicability beyond addressing the defective hoses."},"complexity_factors":["Long list of affected Aerostar models in the Applicability (many specific models listed)","Specific hose identification strings with multiple date-code variants (1Q92, 2Q92, 3Q92, 4Q92) and the additional catch-all \"if hose identification is not legible\"","Two-step requirements: immediate leak test (1a), repeated pre-flight testing until replacement (1b), and mandatory replacement (2)","Different compliance timeframes: \"prior to further flight\", \"prior to each flight until replacement\", and \"within 10 hours time in service after 24 August 1993\"","Technical procedural detail (remove from leather sleeve, pressurise system, sniff test) which requires operator competence","Cross-references to FAA Priority Letter AD and Aerostar Service Bulletin (note), creating reliance on external technical documents"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this directive does**\n\n- Requires owners/operators of certain Aerostar hot-air balloons to inspect and/or replace specific fuel hoses that may be defective.\n\n**Which aircraft are affected**\n\n- A long list of Aerostar International (Raven) models (for example RS-6, RX-7, RX-8, S-40A, S-52A, S-55A, S-60A, S-66A, S-71, S-77A, and others) — see the Applicability list. The directive applies only where the installed hoses are identified as Aeroquip FC321-06 UL 5/16 LP-GAS Hose 350 Max Operating PSI with date codes 1Q92, 2Q92, 3Q92, or 4Q92, or where the hose identification marking is not legible (Applicability).\n\n**What you must do (mechanics)**\n\n- Inspection (Requirement 1a): Remove each fuel hose from its leather sleeve, pressurise the fuel system, and \"sniff test\" the entire hose for signs of leakage (examples given: frosting or chilling). If any leakage signs are found, replace the entire fuel hose/manifold assembly with an approved assembly that uses hoses with different markings than the ones listed in Applicability (Requirement 1a).\n\n- Repeat inspections (Requirement 1b): If no leakage is found, repeat this leak test at every pre-flight interval specified in the Compliance section (Requirement 1b).\n\n- Mandatory replacement (Requirement 2): Replace the entire fuel hose/manifold assembly with an approved assembly having hoses with different markings (Requirement 2).\n\n**When inspections and replacement are required (Compliance)**\n\n- The first leak test (Requirement 1a) must be done before the next flight (\"prior to further flight\").\n- If no leak is found, the test must be done before each flight until the assembly is replaced (Requirement 1b).\n- The full replacement (Requirement 2) must be completed within 10 hours time-in-service after 24 August 1993 unless already done.\n\n**Why the rule exists (stated rationale)**\n\n- The FAA reported a fuel hose leaking propane due to a manufacturing deficiency that makes certain hoses susceptible to splitting. Splitting can cause fuel leakage and potentially an uncontained fire in the balloon basket (Background).\n\nAnalysis of costs, incentives, trade-offs and implementation issues\n\n- Who pays: Aircraft owners/operators bear direct costs — labour for repeated inspections, possible grounding downtime, and the cost of replacing the entire fuel hose/manifold assembly with an approved unit (Requirement 2; Compliance).\n\n- Who decides: The civil aviation authority (the issuer of this airworthiness directive) mandates the inspection and replacement. Operators decide how to schedule inspections and replacement work and which approved supplier/assembly to use, subject to the requirement that the replacement assembly contain hoses with different markings (Requirement 2).\n\n- Behaviour changes required: Operators must perform a pressurised leak check by removing hose from the leather sleeve before flight (and repeat before each flight until replacement). They must procure and install approved replacement assemblies within the specified time window (Requirements 1 and 2; Compliance).\n\n- Administrative and operational burden: The directive imposes a recurring pre‑flight task (sniff test) until replacement is done. That increases pre-flight time and requires personnel competent to remove hoses, pressurise the system, and detect leakage. There is also a short-term concentrated demand for approved replacement assemblies, which could affect procurement and aircraft availability.\n\n- Safety vs cost trade-off: The directive prioritises eliminating a specific failure mode (hose splitting and propane leakage) at the cost of inspection time and replacement expense. The replacement requirement (a whole assembly, not just a hose) raises the cost per remedial action but standardises the fix.\n\n- Market effects and supply-side incentives: Approved assembly suppliers (including the original manufacturer if they supply compliant assemblies) receive concentrated demand from affected operators. Smaller operators may face one-off substantial costs and short-term parts-supply risk. The requirement to use assemblies with different hose markings narrows acceptable parts choices to those that are demonstrably not the implicated production batches.\n\n- Compliance risk and enforcement: Practical challenges include illegible hose markings (which the directive treats as within scope) and the ability of operators/maintainers to reliably detect slow leaks by \"sniff test\". Inadequate inspection technique could generate false negatives, prolonging exposure until replacement. Cross-references to the FAA AD and the manufacturer service bulletin (note) suggest reliance on those documents for technical detail and approved parts.\n\n- Opportunity costs: Time spent on inspections and replacement removes that time from commercial or recreational flight operations; the directive's short replacement window (10 hours TIS) concentrates those costs into a short period for affected operators.\n\n- Contract and operational freedom: Operators remain free to choose approved suppliers/maintenance providers, but must install assemblies marked differently from the implicated hoses; this constrains procurement to compliant assemblies.\n\n- Concentrated beneficiaries and costs: Suppliers of approved assemblies obtain the business (concentrated benefit). Costs are concentrated on owners/operators of the listed Aerostar models with the implicated hoses.\n\nSources within the instrument: Applicability; Requirement 1a, 1b, 2; Compliance; Background; Note (FAA and Aerostar references)."},"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"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-bal-12-fuel-hose","history":"/api/acts/ad-bal-12-fuel-hose/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-bal-12-fuel-hose/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-bal-12-fuel-hose/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-bal-12-fuel-hose/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-bal-12-fuel-hose/documents"}}