{"id":"F2006B03562","name":"AD/BAL/23 - Triple and Quad Burner Support","slug":"ad-bal-23-triple-and-quad-burner-support","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":43129,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B03562-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","sectionType":"part","heading":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","content":"# AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\n\n![](image.001.png)\n\nFor the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nHot Air Balloons","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/BAL/23 Triple and Quad Burner Support","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/BAL/23 Triple and Quad Burner Support 13/2004","content":"# AD/BAL/23 Triple and Quad Burner Support 13/2004\n\nDM\n\nApplicability: All Cameron Shadow/Shadow Stealth - Triple, Quad, and Stratus Triple, Quad gimballed burner assemblies installed on, but not limited to Cameron Balloons Ltd A, N, O, Z, Thunder S1, S2, and Colt A Series Hot Air Balloons.\n\nRequirement: Inspect the burner support plate and mounting tube in accordance with Cameron Balloons Ltd Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 13, dated 29 October 2004, or later EASA approved revision.\n\nReplace any cracked or damaged support plates or mounting tubes before further flight with serviceable parts that have been inspected in accordance with ASB No. 13, dated 29 October 2004, or later EASA approved revision.\n\nNote: UK CAA AD G-2004-0026 refers.\n\nCompliance: Before further flight after 10 November 2004.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 10 November 2004.\n\nBackground: The manufacturer has identified several occurrences of cracked welds between the burner support plate and the mounting tube following road transportation. Failure to identify a cracked or damaged burner support assembly could result in burner separation, and an uncontrolled flame that presents a hazard to the envelope, the balloon’s occupants, and persons on the ground.\n\n![Signature of David Villiers, Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.](image.002.png)  \n\nDavid Villiers\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 4 November 2004\n\n![](image.001.png)","sortOrder":1}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a targeted safety directive addressing a specific mechanical defect identified by the manufacturer. The scope remains precisely limited to the identified unsafe condition (cracked burner support welds) and the affected aircraft population. No scope creep is evident."},"complexity_factors":["Single, clearly defined applicability (specific Cameron balloon models with triple/quad burners)","Only one substantive requirement: inspect and replace if damaged per manufacturer's bulletin","No defined terms section or interpretation provisions","No nested exceptions or conditional logic","Single compliance date with no alternative timelines","Short document (under 300 words of substantive text)","Cross-reference to only one external document (Cameron ASB No. 13) and one related foreign directive (UK CAA AD G-2004-0026)"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA safety order requires owners/operators of Cameron Shadow, Shadow Stealth, Stratus, Thunder and Colt balloons with triple/quad burners to visually inspect burner support plates and mounting tubes for cracks per Cameron Service Bulletin No. 13, and to replace any cracked or damaged parts before flight.  \n\nIt matters because cracked welds—often from rough road transport—can let a burner break off in flight, producing uncontrolled flame that can ignite the envelope or cause serious injury or death. Deadline: inspections before any flight after 10 Nov 2004."},"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":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD remains narrowly focused on correcting a specific unsafe condition (cracked welds between burner support plate and mounting tube) for a defined set of Cameron burner assemblies and balloon models. It does not broaden the regulatory reach beyond that technical safety issue; it prescribes inspection and replacement only, with inspection methods delegated to the manufacturer's ASB. There is no evidence in the text that the AD has grown beyond this original, safety-limited purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Short directive: single corrective action (inspect and replace) rather than multiple, layered obligations","One external normative reference: Cameron Balloons Ltd ASB No. 13 (29 Oct 2004) — inspection method delegated to that document","One conditional allowance: later ASB revisions permitted only if EASA-approved","Applicability lists a limited set of models and burner assembly types (narrow scope)","Single compliance timing condition: \"before further flight after 10 November 2004\"","One background safety rationale; no nested exceptions or multiple compliance pathways","Cross-reference to UK CAA AD (informational)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this directive does (mechanics)\n\n- Requires owners/operators of certain Cameron hot-air balloons to inspect the burner support plate and the mounting tube for cracks or damage. (See \"Applicability\" and \"Requirement\".)\n- Inspections must follow Cameron Balloons Ltd Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 13 dated 29 October 2004, or a later revision that is approved by EASA. If a support plate or mounting tube is cracked or damaged, it must be replaced with a serviceable part that has itself been inspected in accordance with the ASB. (See \"Requirement\".)\n- The inspection/replacement must be done before the next flight after 10 November 2004. The AD became effective on 10 November 2004. (See \"Compliance\" and \"Effective date\".)\n\n**Who is affected\n\n- Aircraft owners and operators of Cameron Shadow/Shadow Stealth (Triple, Quad), Stratus Triple/Quad, and gimballed triple/quad burner assemblies that are installed on the listed Cameron balloon models (A, N, O, Z, Thunder S1, S2, and Colt A Series). (See \"Applicability\".)\n- Maintenance organisations and technicians who perform the inspections and replacements according to the ASB.\n\n**Why it matters (stated safety concern and claimed purpose)\n\n- The manufacturer reported several occurrences of cracked welds between the burner support plate and mounting tube following road transportation. The AD states that, if these cracks go undetected, a burner could separate and cause an uncontrolled flame that endangers the balloon envelope, occupants, and people on the ground. The AD therefore mandates inspection and replacement to correct that unsafe condition. (See \"Background\" and \"Requirement\".)\n\n**Who pays, who decides, and what behaviour changes\n\n- Who pays: Balloon owners/operators pay for inspections, parts and any labour/time off-hire. (Cost implication of the \"Requirement\" and the fact replacement is mandated before flight.)\n- Who decides/mandates: The CASA delegate issued the Airworthiness Directive; the inspection method is mandated by reference to the manufacturer’s ASB (with later EASA-approved revisions allowed). (See heading and \"Requirement\".)\n- Behaviour changes required: Operators must (a) inspect the specified components using the ASB procedures, and (b) replace any cracked/damaged parts with serviceable parts inspected per the ASB — and must not operate the aircraft until done. (See \"Requirement\" and \"Compliance\".)\n\n**Practical implementation notes, trade-offs and risks\n\n- Implementation relies on an external document: ASB No. 13 contains the inspection procedures and criteria. The AD does not repeat the technical steps; inspectors must follow the ASB. (See \"Requirement\".)\n- Time and availability: Operators will incur downtime while inspections and any replacements are made. If replacement parts are limited or must be sourced from the manufacturer, that can increase downtime and cost. (Implied by mandatory replacement and reference to \"serviceable parts\".)\n- Concentrated beneficiaries and costs: Maintenance providers and parts suppliers gain demand for inspection and replacement work. The direct costs fall on the relatively small set of affected balloon owners/operators. (Inferred from the narrow applicability.)\n- Compliance clarity: The AD requires compliance \"before further flight after 10 November 2004,\" which is a straightforward, operationally tight deadline but leaves the technical inspection detail to the ASB. The AD allows later EASA-approved ASB revisions, which gives some regulatory flexibility if the ASB is updated. (See \"Compliance\" and \"Requirement\".)\n\n**Cross-references and provenance\n\n- The AD explicitly refers to the manufacturer’s ASB and notes the UK CAA AD G‑2004‑0026 on the same issue. The AD allows use of later ASB revisions only if they are EASA-approved. (See \"Requirement\" and the embedded note.)\n\nOverall, the directive is a narrowly targeted, safety-motivated regulatory requirement that forces an immediate inspection-and-replace action on a defined set of Cameron balloon burner assemblies. The authority prescribes the inspection method by reference to the manufacturer’s service bulletin and requires grounding until the inspection/replacement is completed.**"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-bal-23-triple-and-quad-burner-support","history":"/api/acts/ad-bal-23-triple-and-quad-burner-support/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-bal-23-triple-and-quad-burner-support/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-bal-23-triple-and-quad-burner-support/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-bal-23-triple-and-quad-burner-support/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-bal-23-triple-and-quad-burner-support/documents"}}