EASA AD G-2025-0001R1-E
SUPERSEDED by G-2025-0004-E
Summary
Civil Aviation Authority Emergency Airworthiness Directive G-2025-0001R1-E addresses safety concerns for hot air balloons equipped with cylinders fitted with Pressure Relief Valve (PRV) adaptor CB8426, including specific models from Cameron Balloons Limited. The directive mandates inspections for cracks in the PRV adaptors to prevent potential uncontrolled leaks of LPG fuel. This directive applies to various cylinder models such as Thunder & Colt Sky Lindstrand V20-100-00/CB8420 and others listed in the document.
What Changed
This revision of Airworthiness Directive G-2025-0001 includes a clarification note allowing pilot-owners to perform the required visual inspections under specific regulatory provisions. It updates the compliance instructions to permit inspections before each flight following the initial mandatory inspection. The directive also emphasizes reporting inspection results to Cameron Balloons Limited to aid ongoing investigations.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a potentially hazardous failure mode that could lead to uncontrolled LPG fuel leaks, posing safety risks. Operators and maintenance teams must ensure compliance to maintain airworthiness and prevent accidents. The reporting requirement helps gather data to understand the failure cause and implement further corrective actions if necessary.
What To Do
Affected operators must immediately perform a visual inspection of PRV adaptor CB8426 for cracks starting from 29 March 2025. If cracks are found, cylinders must be emptied and removed from service immediately. Subsequently, inspections must be conducted before each flight, and any findings of cracking must be reported to Cameron Balloons Limited. Pilot-owners may perform these inspections under specified regulatory provisions.