The bulletin
Text extracted from the PDF.
SPECIAL
AIRWORTHINESS
INFORMATION
BULLETIN
Aircraft Certification Service Washington, DC
U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration
No. CE-03-47 July 21, 2003 We post SAIBs on the internet at www.airweb.faa.gov This is information only. Recommendations are not mandatory.
Introduction This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) alerts you, an owner of an Aerostar International balloon (all models except S-81A), that Aerostar International has issued Aerostar Service Bulletin #137, dated July 1, 2003. This service bulletin contains instructions for replacement of any 10 gallon aluminum fuel cylinders (P/N 09738, 15326, 51477) in service.
Background The Aerostar International service bulletin was written because there is the potential for 10 gallon aluminum fuel cylinders to rupture when exposed to high heat in the event of an onboard fire. Such a rupture would result in an explosion and a large fire due to a Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion (BLEVE). The Service Bulletin contains a detailed discussion of the service history of these fuel tanks.
Recommendation The FAA highly recommends that registered owners of Aerostar International balloon (all models except S-81A) comply with the instructions in Aerostar Service Bulletin #137, dated July 1, 2003.
The FAA will continue to monitor all ballooning activities relating to this situation.
For Further Information Contact Gregory J Michalik, Senior Aerospace Engineer, Federal Aviation Administration, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, 2300 E. Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018, (847) 294-7135.
Copies of Aerostar Service Bulletin #137, dated July 1, 2003, may be obtained from Aerostar International, Inc., 1814 “F” Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5057; Telephone (605) 331-3500;
facsimile (605) 331-3520. Service information for Aerostar International balloon models can also be obtained on the World Wide Web at http://www.aerostar.com/hotair.htm by clicking on the link for Service Bulletins.