{"id":"F2006B03559","name":"AD/BAL/20 - Cameron/Thunder & Colt Pressure Relief Valves","slug":"ad-bal-20-cameron-thunder-colt-pressure-relief-valves","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":43126,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B03559-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/BAL/20 - Cameron/Thunder & Colt Pressure Relief Valves","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/20 Cameron/Thunder & Colt Pressure Relief Valves 3/99\n\nApplicability: All pressure relief valves fitted to propane fuel cylinders supplied for flight by Cameron Balloons (Thunder & Colt) Ltd and Thunder & Colt Ltd.\n\nRequirement: 1. Inspect the propane fuel cylinder pressure relief valve in accordance with the instructions in Cameron Balloons (Thunder & Colt) Service Bulletin No. SB4.\n\n2. Replace the pressure relief valve in accordance with the instructions in Cameron Balloons (Thunder & Colt) Service Bulletin No. SB4.\n\nNote: UK CAA AD 002-11-98 refers.\n\nCompliance: 1. Unless already accomplished, within six months of the effective date of this Directive or at the annual inspection, whichever occurs sooner, and thereafter every twelve months.\n\n2. a. On any occasion when corrosion is detected during the inspection at Requirement 1 above, or\n\n2. b. Every 10 years during recertification of the gas cylinder in accordance with AS 2030.1 - 1989 (see Note) as required by AD/BAL/3 Amdt 1, or\n\n    2. c. If the pressure relief valve is older than ten years at the time of the inspection at\n    1) above. If the pressure valve has been replaced before the ten yearly recertification of the gas cylinder falls due, the pressure valve may be retained and replaced when it reaches ten years in service.\n\nNote: AS 2030.1-1989 does not apply to aviation gas cylinders under normal circumstances. For the purposes of this Directive, the test standards called up in AS2030 for LPG cylinders are to be applied in full (as specified in AD/BAL/3 Amdt 3).\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 25 March 1999.\n\nBackground: Experience in the United Kingdom has shown that, in the absence of legislation such as AS2030, operators were not inspecting the gas fittings on their balloons on a regular basis for serviceability. This has resulted in several serious incidents. This Directive is based upon a UK CAA AD introduced to ensure regular inspection of LPG gas fittings for integrity and absence of corrosion.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"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"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Scope remains focused on pressure relief valves on propane cylinders supplied by Cameron/Thunder & Colt; the Directive implements regular inspection and replacement rules consistent with the stated UK CAA precedent and does not expand to other parts or suppliers."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple compliance triggers and staggered timelines: initial inspection within six months or at the next annual inspection, then every 12 months (Compliance: 1).","Distinct replacement triggers: corrosion on inspection (Req. 2.a), ten‑year recertification cycle (Req. 2.b), or valve older than ten years at inspection (Req. 2.c).","Dependence on manufacturer documentation: inspections and replacements must follow Cameron Balloons (Thunder & Colt) Service Bulletin No. SB4 (Requirement: 1–2).","Cross‑reference to external technical standards and other ADs: AS 2030.1‑1989 and AD/BAL/3 Amdt 3 are invoked for test/recertification rules (Note; Compliance: 2.b).","Narrow applicability tied to specific suppliers and component type: only pressure relief valves on propane cylinders supplied for flight by Cameron/Thunder & Colt (Applicability).","Compliance costs and operational burden fall on balloon operators/owners: inspections, potential valve replacements, and meeting recertification standards (Requirement 1–2; Compliance 2).","Recordkeeping and scheduling complexity from overlapping inspection, service, and recertification cycles (Compliance: 1; Compliance: 2.b/2.c).","Regulatory linkage and reliance on prior foreign ADs for rationale (Background; Note referencing UK CAA AD 002‑11‑98) which may affect interpretation and enforcement scope."],"plain_english_summary":"Requires operators of Cameron/Thunder & Colt hot-air balloon propane cylinders to inspect pressure relief valves per the manufacturer’s Service Bulletin SB4 and to replace valves when required. Inspections are due within six months or at the next annual inspection and then yearly; replacement is required on corrosion, at ten years, or during ten‑year cylinder recertification (AS 2030.1‑1989). The stated purpose is to ensure valve integrity and reduce fuel‑leak or overpressure risks."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This airworthiness directive maintains its original narrow scope. It was introduced specifically to address safety concerns regarding pressure relief valves on propane fuel cylinders for hot air balloons following UK incidents, and remains focused solely on that technical safety issue without expansion into broader regulatory areas."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple cross-references to other documents (UK CAA AD 002-11-98, Cameron Balloons Service Bulletin No. SB4, AS 2030.1-1989, AD/BAL/3 Amdt 1, AD/BAL/3 Amdt 3)","Nested conditional logic for replacement timing (3 separate triggers in Requirement 2, with a conditional exception in 2.c allowing retention under specific circumstances)","Technical aviation terminology requiring domain knowledge (airworthiness directives, recertification, gas cylinder standards)","Dual applicability (two related manufacturers: Cameron Balloons (Thunder & Colt) Ltd and Thunder & Colt Ltd)"],"plain_english_summary":"This safety rule requires operators of hot-air balloons using propane cylinders made by Cameron Balloons or Thunder & Colt to inspect pressure-relief valves within six months of the rule and annually thereafter, and to replace valves if corroded, ten years old, or when cylinders are recertified every ten years. \n\nIt targets balloon operators to prevent accidents from corroded gas fittings; the rule took effect 25 March 1999."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-bal-20-cameron-thunder-colt-pressure-relief-valves","history":"/api/acts/ad-bal-20-cameron-thunder-colt-pressure-relief-valves/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-bal-20-cameron-thunder-colt-pressure-relief-valves/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-bal-20-cameron-thunder-colt-pressure-relief-valves/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-bal-20-cameron-thunder-colt-pressure-relief-valves/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-bal-20-cameron-thunder-colt-pressure-relief-valves/documents"}}