{"id":"F2006B03557","name":"AD/BAL/19 - Triple Burner Frame Cross Bar","slug":"ad-bal-19-triple-burner-frame-cross-bar","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":43124,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B03557-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/BAL/19 - Triple Burner Frame Cross Bar","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/19 Triple Burner Frame Cross Bar 2/99 DM\n\nApplicability: All Cameron Balloons Limited (Thunder and Colt) with triple burner frame (Post Mod C252/T176).\n\nRequirement: 1. Visually inspect the triple burner frame weld joints in accordance with Part 1 of Cameron Balloons (Thunder and Colt) Service Bulletin No.SB7.\n\n2. Modify the triple burner frame in accordance with Part 2 of Cameron Balloons (Thunder and Colt) Service Bulletin No.SB7.\n\nNote: UK CAA AD 003-11-98 refers.\n\nCompliance: 1. Inspect before each flight conducted on or after 13 January 1999, until modified in accordance with requirement 2.\n\n2. Modify before further flight if cracks are detected during inspection in accordance with Requirement 1, otherwise modify before 20 flight hours after 13 January 1999 or before 13 April 1999, whichever occurs first.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 13 January 1999.\n\nBackground: There have been isolated incidents of cracking in the cross bar weld adjacent to the gimbal mounting block location. Left undetected the cracks may cause failure of the burner cross bar.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Scope remains confined to Cameron Balloons Limited Thunder and Colt balloons with the triple burner frame (post Mod C252/T176). The AD requires specified inspections and a modification per the manufacturer's Service Bulletin and sets short compliance deadlines; it does not broaden applicability beyond the identified models or add unrelated measures."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow technical applicability to specific models and post-mod frames (Applicability) — reduces scope complexity.","Multiple compliance triggers and deadlines (inspect before each flight until modified; modify immediately if cracks; otherwise modify within 20 flight hours or by 13 April 1999) — raises operational complexity (Compliance).","Dependence on an external manufacturer Service Bulletin (Cameron SB7 Parts 1 & 2) for inspection and modification procedures — requires cross-referencing and technical execution.","Immediate effective date (13 January 1999) and required pre-flight inspections — creates time pressure and operational burden.","Safety-critical nature of the component (risk of cross-bar failure) — increases need for reliable inspections and potential aircraft grounding (Background).","Reference to UK CAA AD 003-11-98 — introduces cross-jurisdictional corroboration and potential differences in follow-up guidance."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires operators of Cameron Balloons (Thunder and Colt) with the triple burner frame (post Mod C252/T176) to inspect the triple-burner-frame welds before each flight until a prescribed modification is done, and to modify the frame immediately if cracks are found or within 20 flight hours / by 13 April 1999. The stated aim is to prevent burner cross-bar failure from weld cracking. Operators pay for inspections and the mandated modification; the regulator enforces compliance."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, targeted airworthiness directive addressing a specific mechanical defect in a specific balloon model. It has not expanded beyond its original safety purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific applicability criterion (one manufacturer, one specific frame modification)","Only two operational requirements (visual inspection + modification)","Clear, sequential compliance deadlines with simple conditional logic (if cracks found → immediate action; if no cracks → time-based deadline)","No defined terms section — all technical terms are industry-standard or explained by reference to manufacturer service bulletin","No cross-references to other legislation beyond a single note referencing equivalent UK directive","Total length: approximately 200 words"],"plain_english_summary":"This emergency safety order addresses a cracking flaw in the triple-burner cross bar on certain Cameron Balloons (Thunder and Colt) that can lead to burners detaching in flight. It requires operators to inspect the welds before every flight and to have the frame modified immediately if cracks are found, or within 20 flight hours (or by 13 April 1999) if none are detected.\n\nIt affects all operators of the specified modified triple-burner frames and imposes urgent measures to prevent a serious in‑flight failure."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-bal-19-triple-burner-frame-cross-bar","history":"/api/acts/ad-bal-19-triple-burner-frame-cross-bar/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-bal-19-triple-burner-frame-cross-bar/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-bal-19-triple-burner-frame-cross-bar/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-bal-19-triple-burner-frame-cross-bar/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-bal-19-triple-burner-frame-cross-bar/documents"}}