EASA SIB 2008-01
LINDSTRAND Hot Air Balloons (LHAB) - Replacement of defective fuel hoses.
Summary
EASA Safety Information Notice No. 2008-01 is a safety information notice regarding the replacement of defective fuel hoses on LINDSTRAND Hot Air Balloons (LHAB). It references the United Kingdom CAA Emergency Airworthiness Directive G-2008-0001, which applies to all LINDSTRAND hot air balloons equipped with burner hoses manufactured by Flexquip as identified in LHAB Service Bulletin No. 11. The notice highlights a serious safety issue related to defective burner hoses that may develop leaks.
What Changed
This notice introduces mandatory inspections and replacement requirements for burner hoses from affected batches identified in LHAB Service Bulletin No. 11. It supersedes previous service bulletins and expands the applicability to additional hose batches not covered before. The UK CAA Emergency Airworthiness Directive G-2008-0001 mandates inspection before further flight, repeated inspections every ten flight hours, and replacement by the next annual inspection.
Why It Matters
This safety information is critical for operators and maintenance organizations to prevent potential fuel leaks that could lead to fire hazards endangering the balloon and its occupants. Compliance ensures continued airworthiness and safety of LINDSTRAND hot air balloons. It also clarifies regulatory responsibilities between EASA and national authorities, emphasizing the importance of adhering to state-of-registry directives.
What To Do
Operators must inspect burner hoses before further flight to identify any from the affected batch as per LHAB Service Bulletin No. 11. Defective hoses must be replaced immediately with serviceable ones, and inspections must be repeated every ten flight hours until the hose is replaced at or before the next annual inspection. Removed defective hoses should be rendered unusable. Compliance with these actions became mandatory from 12 January 2008.
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