{"id":"F2006B03554","name":"AD/BAL/16 - Thunder and Colt Suspension Cables","slug":"ad-bal-16-thunder-and-colt-suspension-cables","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":43121,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B03554-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/BAL/16 - Thunder and Colt Suspension Cables","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\nmeta-generator: Aspose.Words for .NET 22.10.0\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\nCOMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n \n\n![](image.001.png)  Hot Air Balloons\n\n \n\nAD/BAL/16 Thunder and Colt Suspension Cables 10/96\n\nApplicability: Thunder and Colt models AX7-77 S/N 1515 and AX7-65 S/N 335.\n\n \n\nRequirement: Inspect the crimping of cables in accordance with Chaise SB No.1, and replace any defective cables.\n\n \n\nNote: DGAC AD 96-114(A) refers.\n\n \n\nCompliance: Prior to further flight after 12 September 1996.\n\n \n\nBackground: The suspension cables fitted to the applicable balloons may be defective.\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The text confines applicability to the two serial-numbered airframes and prescribes inspection/replacement before further flight. There is no indication in the document that the scope has been broadened or narrowed from its original applicability."},"complexity_factors":["Very narrow applicability (two specific models/serial numbers)","Single clear required action: inspect crimping and replace defective cables","Explicit compliance deadline prior to further flight after a date","Dependence on an external technical document (Chaise SB No.1) for procedure and defect definition","Cross-reference to foreign AD (DGAC AD 96-114(A)) that may add context","Ambiguity in the term “defective” without the service bulletin text"],"plain_english_summary":"The Civil Aviation Safety Authority issues an airworthiness directive for two specific hot‑air‑balloon airframes (Thunder AX7‑77 S/N 1515 and Colt AX7‑65 S/N 335) requiring owners/operators to inspect suspension‑cable crimping per Chaise SB No.1 and replace any defective cables. It grounds those balloons until compliance, must be done before any flight after 12 September 1996, and shifts inspection/repair costs and timing burdens to the owners due to a risk of defective cables."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":1,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, targeted airworthiness directive addressing a specific safety defect in two identified aircraft. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating cable inspections for these specific serial numbers."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific applicability (2 serial numbers only)","One clear requirement (inspect and replace if defective)","No defined terms section","No cross-references to other legislation (only references a manufacturer service bulletin and related foreign directive)","Single compliance deadline with no conditional exceptions","Total length: approximately 150 words"],"plain_english_summary":"This is a **safety directive for hot air balloons** issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).\n\n**What it does:**\nOrders owners/operators of two specific Thunder and Colt hot air balloon models to **inspect their suspension cables** (the cables that attach the basket to the balloon envelope) and **replace any faulty ones**.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Owners of **Thunder and Colt AX7-77** (serial number 1515)\n- Owners of **Thunder and Colt AX7-65** (serial number 335)\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThe suspension cables on these specific balloons may be **defective** — meaning they could fail during flight, with potentially catastrophic consequences. This directive is mandatory (an \"Airworthiness Directive\") and must be completed **before the balloon flies again after 12 September 1996**.\n\n**Key details:**\n- The inspection must follow **Chaise Service Bulletin No. 1** (a manufacturer's technical notice)\n- There's a related French aviation safety notice (DGAC AD 96-114(A)) that also covers this issue\n- This is **not optional** — \"prior to further flight\" means grounded until fixed"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-bal-16-thunder-and-colt-suspension-cables","history":"/api/acts/ad-bal-16-thunder-and-colt-suspension-cables/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-bal-16-thunder-and-colt-suspension-cables/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-bal-16-thunder-and-colt-suspension-cables/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-bal-16-thunder-and-colt-suspension-cables/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-bal-16-thunder-and-colt-suspension-cables/documents"}}